diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher/mention_view.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher/mention_view.js
index d678a6bf5..55efafbe2 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher/mention_view.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher/mention_view.js
@@ -6,18 +6,17 @@ app.views.PublisherMention = app.views.SearchBase.extend({
   mentionSyntaxTemplate: function(person) { return "@{" + person.handle + "}"; },
 
   events: {
-    "keydown #status_message_fake_text": "onInputBoxKeyDown",
-    "input #status_message_fake_text": "onInputBoxInput",
-    "click #status_message_fake_text": "onInputBoxClick",
-    "blur #status_message_fake_text": "onInputBoxBlur"
+    "keydown #status_message_text": "onInputBoxKeyDown",
+    "input #status_message_text": "onInputBoxInput",
+    "click #status_message_text": "onInputBoxClick",
+    "blur #status_message_text": "onInputBoxBlur"
   },
 
   initialize: function() {
     this.mentionedPeople = [];
 
-    // contains the 'fake text' displayed to the user
-    // also has a data-messageText attribute with the original text
-    this.inputBox = this.$("#status_message_fake_text");
+    // has a data-messageText attribute with the original text
+    this.inputBox = this.$("#status_message_text");
     this.typeaheadInput = this.$(".typeahead-mention-box");
     this.bindTypeaheadEvents();
 
diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view.js b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view.js
index de9245027..7d789f998 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view.js
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
   el : "#publisher",
 
   events : {
-    "keydown #status_message_fake_text" : "keyDown",
+    "keydown #status_message_text": "keyDown",
     "focus textarea" : "open",
     "submit form" : "createStatusMessage",
     "click #submit" : "createStatusMessage",
-    "textchange #status_message_fake_text": "handleTextchange",
+    "textchange #status_message_text": "handleTextchange",
     "click #locator" : "showLocation",
     "click #poll_creator" : "togglePollCreator",
     "click #hide_location" : "destroyLocation",
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
     this.disabled   = false;
 
     // init shortcut references to the various elements
-    this.inputEl = this.$("#status_message_fake_text");
-    this.hiddenInputEl = this.$("#status_message_text");
+    this.inputEl = this.$("#status_message_text");
     this.wrapperEl = this.$("#publisher_textarea_wrapper");
     this.submitEl = this.$("input[type=submit], button#submit");
     this.photozoneEl = this.$("#photodropzone");
@@ -46,14 +45,6 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
     $(window).on("beforeunload", _.bind(this._beforeUnload, this));
     $(window).unload(this.clear.bind(this));
 
-    // sync textarea content
-    if( this.hiddenInputEl.val() === "" ) {
-      this.hiddenInputEl.val( this.inputEl.val() );
-    }
-    if( this.inputEl.val() === "" ) {
-      this.inputEl.val( this.hiddenInputEl.val() );
-    }
-
     // hide close and preview buttons and manage services link
     // in case publisher is standalone
     // (e.g. bookmarklet, mentions popup)
@@ -175,7 +166,6 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
   // inject content into the publisher textarea
   setText: function(txt) {
     this.inputEl.val(txt);
-    this.hiddenInputEl.val(txt);
     this.prefillText = txt;
 
     this.inputEl.trigger("input");
@@ -381,11 +371,10 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
     // remove mentions
     this.mention.reset();
 
-    // clear text(s)
+    // clear text
     this.inputEl.val("");
-    this.hiddenInputEl.val("");
     this.inputEl.trigger("keyup")
-                 .trigger("keydown");
+                .trigger("keydown");
     autosize.update(this.inputEl);
 
     // remove photos
@@ -421,7 +410,6 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
 
     // force textchange plugin to update lastValue
     this.inputEl.data("lastValue", "");
-    this.hiddenInputEl.data("lastValue", "");
 
     return this;
   },
@@ -487,10 +475,8 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
   setInputEnabled: function(bool) {
     if (bool) {
       this.inputEl.removeAttr("disabled");
-      this.hiddenInputEl.removeAttr("disabled");
     } else {
       this.inputEl.prop("disabled", true);
-      this.hiddenInputEl.prop("disabled", true);
     }
   },
 
@@ -505,7 +491,6 @@ app.views.Publisher = Backbone.View.extend({
 
   handleTextchange: function() {
     this.checkSubmitAvailability();
-    this.hiddenInputEl.val(this.mention.getTextForSubmit());
   },
 
   _beforeUnload: function(e) {
diff --git a/app/helpers/interim_stream_hackiness_helper.rb b/app/helpers/interim_stream_hackiness_helper.rb
index b531871f2..4283a8126 100644
--- a/app/helpers/interim_stream_hackiness_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/interim_stream_hackiness_helper.rb
@@ -21,16 +21,6 @@ module InterimStreamHackinessHelper
     end
   end
 
-  def publisher_hidden_text
-    if params[:prefill].present?
-      params[:prefill]
-    elsif defined?(@stream)
-      @stream.publisher.prefill
-    else
-      nil
-    end
-  end
-
   def from_group(post)
     if defined?(@stream) && params[:controller] == 'multis'
       @stream.post_from_group(post)
diff --git a/app/views/publisher/_publisher.html.haml b/app/views/publisher/_publisher.html.haml
index 6fc8669cc..9ed2ae2ee 100644
--- a/app/views/publisher/_publisher.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/publisher/_publisher.html.haml
@@ -6,17 +6,16 @@
         .publisher-textarea-wrapper#publisher_textarea_wrapper
           .mentions-input-box
             - if current_user.getting_started?
-              = status.text_area :fake_text, :rows => 2, :value => h(publisher_formatted_text),
+              = status.text_area :text, :rows => 2, :value => h(publisher_formatted_text),
                 :tabindex => 1, :placeholder => "#{t('contacts.index.start_a_conversation')}...",
                 "data-title" => popover_with_close_html("1. " + t("shared.public_explain.share")),
                 "data-content" => t("shared.public_explain.new_user_welcome_message"),
                 "class" => "form-control"
             - else
-              = status.text_area :fake_text, :rows => 2, :value => h(publisher_formatted_text),
+              = status.text_area :text, :rows => 2, :value => h(publisher_formatted_text),
                 :tabindex => 1, :placeholder => "#{t('contacts.index.start_a_conversation')}...",
                 "class" => "form-control"
             %input.typeahead-mention-box.hidden{type: "text"}
-          = status.hidden_field :text, value: h(publisher_hidden_text), class: "clear_on_submit"
 
           .container-fluid.photodropzone-container#photodropzone_container
             %ul#photodropzone
diff --git a/features/desktop/post_preview.feature b/features/desktop/post_preview.feature
index 827b36d36..d2a69b687 100644
--- a/features/desktop/post_preview.feature
+++ b/features/desktop/post_preview.feature
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Feature: preview posts in the stream
       Given I expand the publisher
       And I attach "spec/fixtures/button.png" to the publisher
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | Look at this dog    |
+          | status_message_text    | Look at this dog    |
       And I preview the post
       Then I should see a "img" within ".md-preview .stream-element .photo_attachments"
       And I should see "Look at this dog" within ".md-preview .stream-element"
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Feature: preview posts in the stream
       Then I should see "Samuel Beckett"
       When I expand the publisher
       And I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | This preview rocks    |
+          | status_message_text    | This preview rocks    |
       And I preview the post
       Then I should see "This preview rocks" in the preview
       And I close the publisher
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ Feature: preview posts in the stream
     Scenario: preview a post with the poll
       Given I expand the publisher
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt    |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt    |
       And I click on selector "#poll_creator"
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-          | poll_question               | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+          | poll_question          | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
       And I fill in the following for the options:
           | normal |
           | not normal  |
@@ -87,12 +87,12 @@ Feature: preview posts in the stream
     Scenario: preview a post with location
       Given I expand the publisher
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt    |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt    |
       And I allow geolocation
       And I click on selector "#locator"
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-          | location_address            | Some cool place |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+          | location_address       | Some cool place |
       And I preview the post
       Then I should see a ".near-from" within ".md-preview .stream-element"
       And I should see "Some cool place" within ".md-preview .stream-element .near-from"
diff --git a/features/desktop/post_with_a_poll.feature b/features/desktop/post_with_a_poll.feature
index b5b3a0ff8..5a27fc7ee 100644
--- a/features/desktop/post_with_a_poll.feature
+++ b/features/desktop/post_with_a_poll.feature
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ Feature: posting with a poll
       Given I expand the publisher
       And I click on selector "#poll_creator"
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-          | poll_question               | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+          | poll_question          | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
       And I fill in the following for the options:
           | normal |
           | not normal  |
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ Feature: posting with a poll
       Given I expand the publisher
       And I click on selector "#poll_creator"
       When I fill in the following:
-          | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-          | poll_question               | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
+          | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+          | poll_question          | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
       And I fill in the following for the options:
           | normal |
           | not normal  |
@@ -70,8 +70,8 @@ Feature: posting with a poll
     Given I expand the publisher
     And I click on selector "#poll_creator"
     When I fill in the following:
-        | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-        | poll_question               | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
+        | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+        | poll_question          | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
     And I fill in the following for the options:
         | normal |
         | not normal  |
@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ Feature: posting with a poll
     Given I expand the publisher
     And I click on selector "#poll_creator"
     When I fill in the following:
-        | status_message_fake_text    | I am eating yogurt |
-        | poll_question               | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
+        | status_message_text    | I am eating yogurt |
+        | poll_question          | What kind of yogurt do you like? |
     And I fill in the following for the options:
         | normal |
         |  |
diff --git a/features/mobile/posts_from_main_page.feature b/features/mobile/posts_from_main_page.feature
index 22fb6195a..9afee520d 100644
--- a/features/mobile/posts_from_main_page.feature
+++ b/features/mobile/posts_from_main_page.feature
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Feature: posting from the mobile main page
 
   Scenario: post and delete some text
     Given I visit the mobile publisher page
-    And I append "I am eating yogurt" to the mobile publisher
+    And I append "I am eating yogurt" to the publisher
     And I select "Unicorns" from "aspect_ids_"
     And I press "Share"
     When I go to the stream page
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Feature: posting from the mobile main page
 
   Scenario: back out of uploading a picture when another has been attached
     Given I visit the mobile publisher page
-    And I append "I am eating yogurt" to the mobile publisher
+    And I append "I am eating yogurt" to the publisher
     And I attach the file "spec/fixtures/button.gif" to hidden "qqfile" within "#file-upload-publisher"
     And I attach the file "spec/fixtures/button.png" to hidden "qqfile" within "#file-upload-publisher"
     And I click to delete the first uploaded photo
diff --git a/features/step_definitions/keyboard_navigation_steps.rb b/features/step_definitions/keyboard_navigation_steps.rb
index e0109902d..32188aff3 100644
--- a/features/step_definitions/keyboard_navigation_steps.rb
+++ b/features/step_definitions/keyboard_navigation_steps.rb
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ When /^I press the "([^\"]*)" key somewhere$/ do |key|
 end
 
 When /^I press the "([^\"]*)" key in the publisher$/ do |key|
-  find("#status_message_fake_text").native.send_key(key)
+  find("#status_message_text").native.send_key(key)
 end
 
 Then /^post (\d+) should be highlighted$/ do |position|
diff --git a/features/step_definitions/posts_steps.rb b/features/step_definitions/posts_steps.rb
index 34df49e49..a13779a2c 100644
--- a/features/step_definitions/posts_steps.rb
+++ b/features/step_definitions/posts_steps.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Then /^I should not be able to submit the publisher$/ do
 end
 
 Then /^I should see "([^"]*)" in the publisher$/ do |text|
-  expect(page).to have_field("status_message[fake_text]", with: text)
+  expect(page).to have_field("status_message[text]", with: text)
 end
 
 Given /^I have a limited post with text "([^\"]*)" in the aspect "([^"]*)"$/ do |text, aspect_name|
@@ -118,10 +118,6 @@ When /^I append "([^"]*)" to the publisher$/ do |text|
   append_to_publisher(text)
 end
 
-When /^I append "([^"]*)" to the mobile publisher$/ do |text|
-  append_to_publisher(text, '#status_message_text')
-end
-
 When /^I attach "([^"]*)" to the publisher$/ do |path|
   upload_file_with_publisher(path)
 end
diff --git a/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb b/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
index 046f8e332..ff5f91d43 100644
--- a/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
+++ b/features/support/publishing_cuke_helpers.rb
@@ -1,21 +1,12 @@
 module PublishingCukeHelpers
   def write_in_publisher(txt)
-    fill_in 'status_message_fake_text', with: txt
+    fill_in "status_message_text", with: txt
   end
 
-  def append_to_publisher(txt, input_selector='#status_message_fake_text')
-    status_message_text = find("#status_message_text", visible: false).value
-    find(input_selector).native.send_key(" #{txt}")
-
-    # make sure the other text field got the new contents
-    if input_selector == "#status_message_fake_text"
-      begin
-        expect(page).to have_selector("#status_message_text[value='#{status_message_text} #{txt}']", visible: false)
-      rescue RSpec::Expectations::ExpectationNotMetError
-        puts "Value was instead: #{find('#status_message_text', visible: false).value.inspect}"
-        raise
-      end
-    end
+  def append_to_publisher(txt)
+    status_message_text = find("#status_message_text").value
+    find("#status_message_text").native.send_key(" #{txt}")
+    expect(page).to have_field("status_message[text]", with: "#{status_message_text} #{txt}")
   end
 
   def upload_file_with_publisher(path)
@@ -33,7 +24,7 @@ module PublishingCukeHelpers
   end
 
   def submit_publisher
-    txt = find("#publisher #status_message_fake_text").value
+    txt = find("#publisher #status_message_text").value
     find("#publisher .btn-primary").click
     # wait for the content to appear
     expect(find("#main_stream")).to have_content(txt)
@@ -45,7 +36,7 @@ module PublishingCukeHelpers
   end
 
   def click_publisher
-    find("#status_message_fake_text").click
+    find("#status_message_text").click
     expect(find("#publisher")).to have_css(".publisher-textarea-wrapper.active")
   end
 
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/app/views/bookmarklet_view_spec.js b/spec/javascripts/app/views/bookmarklet_view_spec.js
index d5de57466..9d12f998c 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/app/views/bookmarklet_view_spec.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/app/views/bookmarklet_view_spec.js
@@ -29,23 +29,18 @@ describe("app.views.Bookmarklet", function() {
 
   it("prefills the publisher", function() {
     init_bookmarklet(test_data);
-
     expect($.trim(app.publisher.inputEl.val())).not.toEqual("");
-    expect($.trim(app.publisher.hiddenInputEl.val())).not.toEqual("");
   });
 
   it("handles dirty input well", function() {
     init_bookmarklet(evil_test_data);
-
     expect($.trim(app.publisher.inputEl.val())).not.toEqual("");
-    expect($.trim(app.publisher.hiddenInputEl.val())).not.toEqual("");
   });
 
   it("allows changing a prefilled publisher", function() {
     init_bookmarklet(test_data);
     app.publisher.setText(app.publisher.inputEl.val()+"A");
-
-    expect(app.publisher.hiddenInputEl.val()).toMatch(/.+A$/);
+    expect(app.publisher.inputEl.val()).toMatch(/.+A$/);
   });
 
   it("keeps the publisher disabled after successful post creation", function() {
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view_spec.js b/spec/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view_spec.js
index c672b33fa..a0bd9c292 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view_spec.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/app/views/publisher_view_spec.js
@@ -82,9 +82,9 @@ describe("app.views.Publisher", function() {
       });
 
       it("resets the element's height", function() {
-        $(this.view.el).find("#status_message_fake_text").height(100);
+        $(this.view.el).find("#status_message_text").height(100);
         this.view.close($.Event());
-        expect($(this.view.el).find("#status_message_fake_text").attr("style")).not.toContain("height");
+        expect($(this.view.el).find("#status_message_text").attr("style")).not.toContain("height");
       });
 
       it("calls autosize.update", function() {
@@ -235,9 +235,7 @@ describe("app.views.Publisher", function() {
     describe('#setText', function() {
       it("sets the content text", function() {
         this.view.setText("FOO bar");
-
         expect(this.view.inputEl.val()).toEqual("FOO bar");
-        expect(this.view.hiddenInputEl.val()).toEqual("FOO bar");
       });
     });
 
@@ -248,7 +246,6 @@ describe("app.views.Publisher", function() {
 
         expect(this.view.disabled).toBeTruthy();
         expect(this.view.inputEl.prop("disabled")).toBeTruthy();
-        expect(this.view.hiddenInputEl.prop("disabled")).toBeTruthy();
       });
 
       it("disables submitting", function() {