[lukewink]

Selling puts is not a short at all

[nickff]

It is commonly referred to as a ‘short position’, though it is not ‘shorting the stock’. Equally, purchasing calls* is referred to as a ‘long position’ (as is holding the equity).

edit: smallmancontrov below pointed out that I wrote 'purchasing puts' was long, when I meant to write 'purchasing calls'

[smallmancontrov]

Selling puts is a long position. Purchasing puts is short.