Look how excited I was to get a desk for Christmas.The better to play school with, of course!
I am such a nerd. And I’m okay with that. After all, if I wasn’t the proud owner of no less than four AP Stylebooks, who would my friend Kevin call when he has a grammar emergency?
Last night, for example, he called wondering how exactly to write about a range of numbers and if AP had finally changed their ruling on capital-w Web site.
[For the three of you who are wondering, numbers are still written as words when under 10 and written as numerals when 10 or higher. And AP stands firm on the hideous W.]
Lately I’ve been proofreading a lot more projects at work, so I’ve been spending even more time with my trusty AP guide. And I’ve noticed – sadly, for the first time – that my dictionary of choice should be Merriam-Webster’s.
Since my copy of Webster’s was given to me as a high school graduation gift, I’ve been using the online version for the most up-to-date pronunciations, spellings and definitions.
Little did I know just how updated the dictionary was. Until I found the list of new words, that is.
For example, “sock puppet” was added to the dictionary in 1959. But it’s on the list of New Words in 2009. Apparently this year enlarged our understanding of the puppet made of sock, though. Because a second definition has been added.
Did you know a sock puppet is also a false online identity used for deceptive purposes? I had no idea.
Not surprisingly, making the list are media favorites staycation, carbon footprint and reggaeton. Just kidding. I am not accusing the media of bringing us reggaeton, an apparently popular kind of music from Puerto Rico that “combines rap with Caribbean rhythms.”
And I’m sure you won’t be shocked to know that webisode, vlog and frenemy are now accepted parts of the English language.
But waterboarding? Did we need to resurrect that one? Weird.
So, there you have it, folks. Further proof of my nerdiness. For more, check out these oldies but goodies. Good stuff there.
Heard any new words lately?
Oh that stupid World Wide Web. We just did a communications protocol for the church. You can't imagine how many times we had to go through and capitalize the W. And just for the record…I hate the word "staycation." So dumb.
Who are the three people you thought were wondering?
That's weird he didn't know the one-10 thing. I though that rule had been around forever and was never going to change.
I personally love new words. They always reminds me of Shakespeare and how many new words he was able to create, partially because of the flexibility of the English language.
And the picture is just proof you should've been a teacher!
Wow. My comment has a lot of typos. (I'll let the "nerds" find them)
I'm so mad about staycation. I just told James the other night when reading the Real Simple that it was going to be in the dictionary. They had a whole article on it! OY!
Chelley, I was pretty sure you and Triple would care. And I should've known James and Lauren would, too. I think HM and Mel will be interested, too. Great minds…birds of a feather…something.
Triple, I should clarify. Kevin knew the 1-ten rule, but wasn't sure about a specific instance. If you write, "The children were standing in groups of eight to 10," we weren't sure if "eight" and "to" should be written out, or if it should read, "The children were standing in groups of 8-10." That was the confusion.
J & L – Looks like staycation is here to…stay. Sorry.
Good, I was hoping you were including me. ;)
hooray for new words! And thank you for defining Reggaeton for me – I have been acting like I knew what it was for a long time.
I miss my AP style book – I still have an old one but I've traded it in for two actual AP reporters as close friends. It's an easy phone call now. :)
Well, I guess I need to crawl out of my cave more often! I did not know about the one-10 rule! I feel out of the loop! so much for my small town education. :-)
AND, I have no idea what a staycation is! (when you decide to stay on vacation?!)
Ok, I have a new word I just learned today: pflaume. Pronunciation: flom. A noun describing a happy-go-lucky person who has no clue that he or she is acting inappropriately in a business or social setting.
Really. My BFF told me that one today. She and her husband started using the word years ago. And, yes, it is the last name of someone they used to work with!
Ok, I was an English major and I totally know that a NOUN does not describe. An adjective does. I'm just sayin', in case the grammar police is readin' this here blog.
It's funny that you should mention the 1-10 rule because I always "knew" that too…until the other day when I was looking it up for my book and I wanted to double-check… I couldn't find the 1-10 rule as I knew it online. What I found was the rule that it just had to be consistent throughout. Now, to be honest, I did not spend a lot of time looking it up, but the first 3 sites I found had the consistency rule. Maybe it was just what I used to search??
we may have been separated at birth.
Mary B, you're cracking me up!
HM, consistency is definitely key. But I do tend to stick to the AP rules, too – even when they're annoying!
Alece, I think this may be true.
good LORD you must cringe when you read my blog! :-)
and i had the same desk. i loved that thing! ahhhh….you just brought back some good memories! :-)