Spelling checker or "spell checker"?

Question

I've always thought a _spelling checker_ is a tool that checks spelling. I know a growing number of people say _spell checker_, but I've always considered that slang. Recently I did a search for the term and saw that many professionally-edited outlets use the shorter version. Has the shorter term become acceptable in formal writing? Does it generalize to the verb form as well? 1. I need to spell check my document. 2. I need to check the spelling in my document.

Answer 1

 1. I need to spell check my document.

This usage is acceptable.

Answer 2

Spell check is the name of a computer application, or as you say, a tool for checking spelling and grammar. It has now entered the language of common usage. You can use it as a verb from as in "I need to spell check my document."