tangor - 8:22 am on Jun 5, 2009 (gmt 0)

I agree 100%, both with the confusion some have and the solution!

I might be simplistic, but as far as I can tell search is based on words, and words are all we have. Combination of words is step two, ie. "widgets" and "red widgets" or even "flaming red widgets". There's a core word and an adjective (adverb) and the mystery is how the search engines deal with that combination. And, to honor the OP's original statement, anything more than a "word" is a "phrase". Most accurately stated.

That said, I see it as a word plus a word plus another word, each independent until "magically" assembled into a phrase that leads to a result...the desired result: MY WEB PAGE! (chuckles)