An extension of the Common Sense Journalism monthly column by Doug Fisher, former broadcaster, newspaper reporter and wire service editor. From new media to old, much of journalism is just plain common sense.
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Unknown (often improperly attributed to Thomas Jefferson)
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." - Upton Sinclair
"Common sense is not so common" - Voltaire
"Common sense is instinct; enough of it is genius" - George Bernard Shaw
This might surprise some, but if you're using the AP Stylebook, coupled as it is to the Webster's New World College Dictionary (4th), the correct form is sky diving, not skydiving. The dictionary specifies; AP does not contradict. (also sky diver ... but the verb is sky-dive)
posted by Doug @ 7:21 PM
2 comments|
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2 Comments:
Coming from someone who IS a skydiver (not a sky diver), the correct usage of the word is skydiver, skydive, etc... Why? Because the correct usage of such terms is governed by those who define it, such as myself and all other skydivers in the world. Who is Webster to decide how to spell the word? I bet Webster has never jumped out of an airplane! The United States Parachute Association spells the word as skydive, not sky dive. The FAA does the same. Just because Mr. Webster spells it one way, doesn't mean that it's correct.
Matt:
There are lots of cases in the world where those who use a word spell it differently than those who write it, edit it, etc. That is why we have dictionaries and style guides -- and endless debates about Web site vs website, cell phone vs. cellphone, etc.
I happen to think Webster is out of touch, too. (Note my last line on the post.) But my post was to point out how the "authority" used by most of those in this business chooses to spell it. If we subscribe to an "authority," we must at least give it deference, though not necessarily fealty.
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