I came across an interesting word and concept today – the skeuomorph [ˈskjuːəmɔrf], from the Greek σκεῦος (skéuos – container or tool), and μορφή (morphḗ – shape), and defined as “a derivative object that retains ornamental design cues from structures that were necessary in the original” [source].
This term was apparently coined by H. Colley March in 1889 after he noticed that some ancient artifacts had a retro look. For example pottery bowls had patterns like woven baskets [source].
Modern skeuomorphs include many digital icons and interface elements on computers and other electronic devices which resemble their non-digital analogues, such as the waste basket / trash can, clocks, shopping trolleys / carts, and so on.
I’m having a hard time deciding how to pronounce skeuomorf in Swedish.
1. Stress and tone. Stress on the first or last syllable? If the first, then which tone? The general rule is that words of two or more syllables have the stress on the first syllable and the second tone (a.k.a. grave accent). However, other words ending in -morf, like antropomorf, have their stress on the last syllable.
2. Pronunciation of sk. The general rule is that sk is pronounced [ɧ] before a front vowel, but it tends to be [sk] in loan words. The pronunciation of k, g and sk in loan words often leads to heated debates among Swedes.
3. Pronunciation of eu. Usually it’s [ɛv] in stressed syllables and [ɛ] in unstressed. Compare euro [ˈɛvrʊ] (the euro currency) and Europa [ɛrˈuːpa] (Europe). Having [ɛ] directly followed by [ʊ] feels unnatural though, so I’m tempted to pronounce it [ɛv] despite being unstressed.
This leads me to [skɛʊˈmɔrf] or [skɛvʊˈmɔrf]. Any input from other Swedes or Scandinavians?
Skeuomorphism in design (especially web design) is very common, not just for icons. One example is the design of “memo” applications on smart devices that look like actual yellow legal pads, or the “burnished metal & textured leather” look of all iPhone apps before the massive style update of iOS 7. My least favorite skeuomorph in the physical world is linoleum designed to look like actual wooden floorboards, tiles, or bricks.