http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gtk-devel-list/2004-July/msg00113.html
Summary: in gtkrc files, 1. "widget" is to reach particular widgets by name, used for funny apps 2. "widget_class" is to reach all widgets in a generic subhierarchy, used for themes 3. "class" is to reach a particular class of widgets, but not their children.