What do you call who writes comments? Commenter or commentator?

Question

What should I call a person writing/adding comments (by pressing "add comment" link)? Commenter or commentator?

From a deleted answer, I understand that there are commentators (like those unilaterally commentating or closing questions) and commenters (those entering in discussion with others). Is it correct?

Isn't commenting by answering/questioning another commenter/answerer/questioner a live event? And what is the difference in these definitions between a commentator and an answerer?

Thanks, I have seen it, I never ask without searching first. — Gennady Vanin Геннадий Ванин, Feb 06 '11 at 21:41
The names of badges are more humorous and/or metaphorical than they are literal. For example, answering a question more than 60 days later with score of 5 or more doesn't make you a literal necromancer. — , Feb 06 '11 at 21:43

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

7

Commenter, for sure, unless somebody is reporting on a live event. According to the Oxford American English Dictionary:

com·men·tate/ˈkämənˌtāt/

Verb: Report on an event as it occurs, esp. for a news or sports broadcast; provide a commentary.

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

1

answered Feb 04 '11 at 21:45

Rohan Singh

186

I don't foresee anyone commenting on a live event in this case! – Noldorin Feb 04 '11 at 21:49
I updated my question. Why had I been given the badge "Commentator: left 10 comments". Does it depend on amount of comments? – Gennady Vanin Геннадий Ванин Feb 06 '11 at 21:39
@GennadyVanin--ГеннадийВанин I realize this answer is long in coming, but it's just a play on words. – Rohan Singh Jan 28 '13 at 09:02

score -2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 02 '14 at 00:31

-2

I'm not keen on the choices offered. A commentator is one who gives on-the-scene reports of news events (whether recorded video or live tv). A person who writes comments (here, I believe we're talking about periodicals) is usually referred to as a 'columnist'. E.g., the UK Telegraph online has their columnists listed under the heading 'commentary'. It would never occur to me to call these writers commentators/commenters. They are columnists dispensing opinions.

answered Jul 02 '14 at 00:31

user3847

2,495

1

The OP explicitly asks about people who are clicking the add comment link on a website to leave a comment, which presumably excludes people who write columns for periodicals. – choster Jul 02 '14 at 00:39

What do you call who writes comments? Commenter or commentator?

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