From: Andrew Bennetts

Exactly -- this is why a keyword isn't need, the decorator is the "keyword". Where Java people need to lookup "static" in their language manual, Python people will lookup "staticmethod" in the library reference. The documentation for staticmethod would presumably mention that it's a "function decorator", and link to the appropriate docs, and maybe even give an example.

This is a very good point. Assuming the "as" keyword, any user who saw def f(a, b, c) as classmethod: .... and looked up "as" rather than "classmethod" has clearly been having a bad day. Who, as a new user, saw "import something as another" and looked up "as" rather than "import"? Go on - admit it. You're among friends :-) Paul.