Using Ctrl or Alt AND backspace to delete last word in Bash
You can always use Ctrl-W. It deletes the word before the cursor and works in every Bash.
See here for a list of Bash keyboard shortcuts.
You just need to set Option as Meta key in iTerm's preferences (Profiles » Keys).
backward-kill-word
is bound to Meta-Rubout
(i.e. Opt-Backspace) by default.
The same option exists (albeit less flexible) in Apple's Terminal.app.
You can create a file .inputrc
in your home directory and add this content inside:
"\C-h": backward-kill-word