carbon copy
B2Formal, Technical (historical), Figurative
Definition
Meaning
An exact duplicate; a replica.
1. A copy of a document made using carbon paper. 2. A person or thing that closely resembles another.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally a concrete technical term from pre-digital office work. Now predominantly used metaphorically to describe a very close likeness. The technical sense is now historical/archaic for many speakers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The abbreviation "cc" for "carbon copy" in email originated in US business practice but is now universal.
Connotations
In both varieties, the literal meaning is dated, evoking mid-20th century office technology. The figurative use is equally common and understood.
Frequency
Equal frequency in figurative use. The literal term is now rare in both, superseded by "photocopy" or "duplicate".
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be + carbon copy + of + NPNP + be + a carbon copyverb + NP + as a carbon copyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(be) a carbon copy of (someone/something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Historical: making copies of correspondence. Modern: figurative use in management ('the new branch is a carbon copy of the flagship store'). The email header 'Cc:' is a direct legacy.
Academic
Used in historical/sociological texts to describe imitation or lack of originality. Rare in hard sciences.
Everyday
Common in figurative sense to describe people's appearance or behaviour ('He's a carbon copy of his father at that age').
Technical
Obsolete in office technology. Not used in computing except historically to explain the origin of 'cc' in email.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She carbon-copied the invoice for the records.
- I'll carbon-copy you on that memo.
American English
- He carbon-copied the contract for all parties.
- Make sure to carbon-copy the department head.
adverb
British English
- The policy was copied carbon-copy across all regions.
American English
- The process was repeated carbon-copy in every division.
adjective
British English
- It was a carbon-copy version of the original.
- She gave a carbon-copy performance of her sister's.
American English
- He submitted a carbon-copy proposal.
- The carbon-copy document was filed separately.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I made a carbon copy of my homework.
- The twins look like carbon copies.
- This new building is a carbon copy of the one in London.
- She kept a carbon copy of the important letter.
- The sequel was a carbon copy of the original film, lacking any creative spark.
- In terms of policy, the candidate is a carbon copy of the current president.
- The political movement in that country emerged as a carbon copy of its neighbour's, importing both its ideology and its internal contradictions.
- His management style is no mere carbon copy of his predecessor's; it's a nuanced evolution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old detective making a "copy" of a clue by rubbing a pencil over paper with "carbon" paper underneath. The result is an exact duplicate—a carbon copy.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTICAL FORM IS PHYSICAL DUPLICATION (via carbon paper).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque "угольная копия". Use "точная копия" or "копия" for the object. For a person, use "вылитый" or "копия".
Common Mistakes
- Using it for any copy, not an *exact* one. Confusing 'carbon copy' (noun) with 'to cc' (verb) in email. Spelling as 'carboncopy' (should be two words or hyphenated).
Practice
Quiz
What is the origin of the term 'carbon copy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. The physical process is obsolete. The term is almost entirely used figuratively now.
It stands for 'Carbon Copy', a legacy term from when physical copies were made with carbon paper. It means sending a copy of the email to additional recipients.
Yes, especially in its past form 'carbon-copied' (often hyphenated), meaning to make a copy or, metaphorically, to replicate. The email term 'cc' is the modern verb form.
A 'carbon copy' is made simultaneously with the original using carbon paper, while a 'photocopy' is made afterwards from an existing original using a photographic process. Figuratively, 'carbon copy' implies a more immediate and exact duplication.
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