Most linguistic studies of human-computer communication have focused on the issues of syntax and discourse structure. However, another interesting and important area is the lexical semantics of c o m m a n d languages. The names that users and system designers give the objects and actions of a computer system can greatly affect its usability, a n d the lexical issues involved are as complicated as those in natural languages. 1"his paper presents an overview o f the various studies of naming in computer systems, examining such issues as suggestiveness, memorability, descriptions of categories. .
