"using ctrl+x as a prefix for file handling shortcuts in emacs, or just holding ctrl or meta is modal editing"

Jef Raskin coined the term "quasimode" to distinguish between vi-style modal interface and the emacs interface of holding ctrl or meta keys. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_%28computer_interface%29#Q... .

The original text is visible at https://books.google.com/books?id=D39vjmLfO3kC&pg=PA55&lpg=P... . It mentions another's phrase to distinguish the "spring loaded" temporary modal of ctrl+x prefix in emacs vs. the "spring locked" modal of vi.