Question

Why monitor is called the soft copy output hardware and printer is called a hard-copy output hardware

Answer 1

Answer:

it is because on a monitor we just can see the output but cannot touch or feel it . But in a printer we can see as well as touch our outputs of the hard copy

Answer 2

Answer:

Because the display is volatile. Disconnecting the VGA or HDMI cable or powering off the computer causes displayed information to disappear. Old monitors that connect via 20ma current loop or RS232 would lose the display information if power to the monitor was shut off.

That is not true for a printer or plotter, which are hard copy devices. Or in the old days, paper tape or punch cards.