Ruby method call with a symbol parameter with no space -

i saw in rails app reviewing expected error, working. confused way method being called parameter. no spaces, 2 words separated colon:

    ree-1.8.7-2012.02 :001 > def muffin(x)     ree-1.8.7-2012.02 :002?>   puts x.inspect     ree-1.8.7-2012.02 :003?>   end     => nil     ree-1.8.7-2012.02 :004 > muffin:tuffin     :tuffin 

also works string:

    ree-1.8.7-2012.02 :004 > muffin'd'     "d" 

is expected , correct thing?

ruby enjoys 1 of relaxed grammars in industry. yes, space optional. , try muffin(:tuffin) if want colleagues see what's going on.

furtherless, can write:

def muffin x 

yet example of "because can" isn't valid reason doing something. c-;