What does "cc" stand for regarding email and what is the proper way to say you've cc'ed someone?

Answer 1

(1) "cc" does indeed go back to "carbon copy", though it looks like most of those trying to explain it aren't old enough to have experienced. I remember my mom sticking TWO sheets of paper in a typewriter with a thin film sheet of "carbon transfer paper" between them so that the back sheet was a "carbon copy" of the top one.

The abbreviation itself was adopted for use in formal letters to list for people who all was getting a copy of the same letter. The abbreviation was then also when copies of a letter were made by OTHER means (retyping, photocopying or finally word processing & computing). So, in most cases it has not been "literally true" for many years. In fact it is reasonable to (re)interpret "cc" as meaning simply "copies" (all the more so now that we have "bcc" for "blind copies" which are certainly NOT carbon copies!)

(2) (seems most poeple missed the second part of your question). It is still considered proper to let people know who else is receiving a copy of something. In the case of emails, if you put the other addresses in the email programs "cc" box all the recipients should be able to see very easily who else received a copy. For many informal uses this may be adequate.

BUT in more important correspondence, INCLUDING that sent by email, it may still be appropriate to make sure people KNOW who else is getting a copy (recognizing they may not notice or go the extra step to find out).

In this case, proper form in ANY format is to add a specific sentence in the body of the letter (often at the end) on the order of: "I am copying/ (have) copied so-and so...." (informal) OR more formally I am sending [or 'forwarding'] a copy of this letter to. . ." In fact, "I cc'd so-and-so on this" is now considered acceptable informal style so if your recipients will understand it, go ahead and use it.

Another reason you may want to include a note like this in an email is if you are using the "bcc" ("blind copy") function. Some folks will use their own email address for the "to" (main recipient) box, then put everyone else's address in the bcc box, so that those receiving the letter do not see the addresses of any other recipient. This may be done for practical or privacy reasons, but in any case, sometimes the content of the letter may make it appropriate to add a notation that makes it clear to the readers that OTHERS are getting this letter.

Answer 2

I use to think carbon copy, but that's not used anymore and it's available on e-mail. I had someone tell me it stood for "courtesy copy" and that's how I look at it now. If I mention someone in an e-mail to another person, I "cc" it to the aforementioned person. I also sometimes just say that I've also provided a copy to others and tell them to 'see the 'cc' line."

Answer 3

"cc" still stands for the old "carbon copy" and I think you don't have to indicate in any other way to anyone except to use the "cc" entry. Of course there is that sneaky Bcc....blind carbon copy....so the receiver does not know that others are getting a copy too.

Answer 4

.cc = carbon copy
.bcc = blind carbon copy

BCC means that you sent an exact copy to everyone on the bcc list but they don't know who else (if anyone) you sent it to.

Use CC where everyone on the list already knows each other and noone is going to get upset if someone replys to all and everyone gets the reply. Use BCC where you know everyone but they don't necessarily all know each other. Some in the group could be upset if you "posted" their email to a bunch of people they don't know.

Be careful to use the right one in the right place.

Answer 5

CC is 'carbon copy' a few years back when you wrote on a piece of paper and it had carbon ink on the back that printed on the page behind. 'BCC" is blind carbon copy-- the addressee doesn't know who was CCed. I write to "CC" someone but to be more formal you say "copies to..."

Answer 6

carbon copy (SAME APPEARANCE) noun [C]
a person or thing that is very similar to or exactly like another person or thing:
She's a carbon copy of her mother.

In regards of email, it means to have sent the same exact email to someone else. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Carbon Copied-It just means you've sent someone an exact copy of an e-mail that you also sent to someone else. You just say that you carbon-copied it to so and so.

Answer 8

cc = carbon copy
it means to emailed them the letter twice

Answer 9

It stands for "carbon copy". "BCC" stands for "blind carbon copy", where your email's reciepients can't see to whom else you've sent a copy of the email.

Answer 10

Carbon Copy. I copied "blank, blank" on the email.