PHP implements a feature called late static bindings which can be used to reference the called class in a context of static inheritance. More precisely, late static bindings work by storing the class named in the last "non-forwarding call". In case of static method calls, this is the class explicitly named (usually the one on the left of the :: operator); in case of non static method calls, it is the class of the object. A "forwarding call" is a static one that is introduced by self::, parent::, static::, or, if going up in the class hierarchy, forward_static_call. The function get_called_class can be used to retrieve a string with the name of the called class and static:: introduces its scope. This feature was named "late static bindings" with an internal perspective in mind. "Late binding" comes from the fact that static:: will not be resolved using the class where the method is defined but it will rather be computed using runtime information. It was also called a "static binding" as it can be used for (but is not limited to) static method calls. Static references to the current class like self:: or __CLASS__ are resolved using the class in which the function belongs, as in where it was defined: ]]> &example.outputs; Late static bindings tries to solve that limitation by introducing a keyword that references the class that was initially called at runtime. Basically, a keyword that would allow referencing B from test() in the previous example. It was decided not to introduce a new keyword but rather use static that was already reserved. ]]> &example.outputs; In non-static contexts, the called class will be the class of the object instance. Since $this-> will try to call private methods from the same scope, using static:: may give different results. Another difference is that static:: can only refer to static properties. foo(); static::foo(); } } class B extends A { /* foo() will be copied to B, hence its scope will still be A and * the call be successful */ } class C extends A { private function foo() { /* original method is replaced; the scope of the new one is C */ } } $b = new B(); $b->test(); $c = new C(); $c->test(); //fails ?> ]]> &example.outputs; Late static bindings' resolution will stop at a fully resolved static call with no fallback. On the other hand, static calls using keywords like parent:: or self:: will forward the calling information. ]]> &example.outputs;