The word "boilerplates" is often misspelled as "boiler-plates" due to its compound nature. The correct spelling is "boilerplates" and it is pronounced as /ˈbɔɪlərpleɪts/. The word comes from the practice of printing standardized text on steel plates for printing newspapers, which were called "boiler plates". Today, the term has been adapted to refer to any type of standardized text used repeatedly, such as legal contracts or code snippets. Remember, when using the word "boilerplates", it is important to spell it correctly to avoid confusion.
Boilerplates refer to standardized or pre-written sections of text or templates that can be readily used or applied to various documents, websites, or software. These sections of text are typically generic and designed to serve as a starting point or a foundation for specific projects or purposes. Boilerplates can be found in a range of contexts, including legal documents, software development, marketing materials, and website design.
In the legal domain, boilerplates commonly appear in contracts, agreements, or terms of service. They are standard clauses or provisions that have been carefully crafted and reviewed, ensuring legal accuracy and compliance, thus saving time and effort for lawyers and other legal professionals when drafting contracts.
In software development, boilerplates are pre-written code snippets or templates that provide a basic structure or functionality for a particular programming language or framework. Developers can leverage these boilerplates to jumpstart their projects, efficiently reuse existing code, and rapidly build software applications.
Moreover, boilerplates can be useful in marketing, where they provide pre-made text for advertisements, press releases, or promotional materials. They offer a foundation for creating consistent and compelling messaging across different channels.
Overall, boilerplates streamline and facilitate the creation of documents, software, or marketing materials by providing standardized sections that can be customized or built upon to suit specific needs, ultimately saving time and ensuring consistency.
The term "boilerplate" originates from the industrial era, specifically from the printing press and manufacturing industry. In the 19th century, printing presses used a metal plate with standardized and ready-made text for newspapers, advertisements, and legal documents. These plates were made by the manufacturer and distributed to various printing companies. The plates were made of steel, which were extremely durable and could withstand the high pressure and heat of the steam-powered printing presses. Due to their similarity to the thick, solid, and resilient iron plates used in the construction of boilers, these printing plates were called "boilerplates". The term later extended to refer to any standardized and generic text or content used in various contexts, such as legal documents, computer programming, and website design. Over time, "boilerplate" became a commonly used term for prefabricated or standardized materials.