A blog on the idiosyncrasies of today’s fast-moving, social-media-driven language managed by 20-year-plus public relations writer Joseph Priest. l write “e-mail” with a hyphen, detest the word “issue,” and abbreviate “microphone” as “mike.” Got a language question? Bring it on.
Recent Posts
Pronunciation Poise: Forte
Should “forte” be pronounced as a French word or an Italian word?
Definition Detail: Verbal
Is “verbal” the same thing as “oral”?
Pronunciation Poise: Vice Versa
Is “vice versa” correctly pronounced as it looks? Or is there more to saying this word?
The Best Way to Regard
Have some regard for “regards.”
Pronunciation Poise: Orangutan
“Uh-rang-uh-tan,” “uh-rang-uh-tin,” “uh-rang-uh-tang” or “uh-rang-uh-tun”? The pronunciation for this one isn’t easy.
A Quiet Year for AP Stylebook Updates
Here’s a rundown of this year’s biggest updates for the stylebook that guides most marketing, journalism and public relations pros.
How to Write the Plural of Antenna
“Antenna”? “Antennas”? “Antennae”? “Antennaes”? Test your knowledge.
Pronunciation Poise: A Historic or An Historic?
Want some controversy? Choose if “a” or “an” is the correct article to use before “historic.”
Pronunciation Poise: Coyote
This word has a strange spelling, and an even stranger pronunciation. See if you know it.