gistfile1.txt

;; Thanks to tali713
(defun backward-kill-word-or-kill-region ()
  "When no region is active call backward-kill-word, otherwise kill-region. To
 make it behave like the shell "
  (interactive)
  (call-interactively (if (region-active-p)
                          'kill-region
                        'backward-kill-word)))

(global-set-key (kbd "C-w") 'backward-kill-word-or-kill-region)