Editor's Corner

Today’s article is something we’ve covered many times over the years: dangling modifiers. I’m busy working on other stuff, so I’m leaving this to Richard Lederer and his San Diego Union-Tribune article: Be careful to avoid dangling your participles in public.

DEAR RICHARD: In a recent edition of the Union-Tribune, I read the following sentence:
“Santee leaders passed an ordinance banning children under age 12 from riding e-bikes in December.” Why only in December? – James Huizenga, Clairemont

James Huizenga offers a spot-on example of what happens when one’s modifiers go south — or north or anywhere too far away from the words they are supposed to modify: The AP Press Guide to News Writing advises: “The language has many ways to trip you up, most deviously through a modifier that turns up in the wrong place. Don’t let related ideas in a sentence drift apart. Modifiers should be close to the word they purport to modify.”

Pioneer television broadcaster and interviewer Barbara Walters experienced a long and distinguished career. Fix your eyes on reports about three of her interviews:

· Yoko Ono talks about her husband John Lennon, who was killed in an interview with Barbara Walters.

· Former hostage Terry Waite talks about his five years of captivity in Beirut with Barbara Walters.

· The diving and amateur sports community remained in shock today following revelations that Olympic diver Greg Louganis, who speaks freely of his contracting AIDS in a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters.

In all three stories, the phrase “with Barbara Walters” doesn’t appear to modify what it was supposed to. What was there about Barbara Walters, we ask, that compelled people to dangle their participles in public?

In the original film version of Mary Poppins, Bert the Chimney Sweep tells Uncle Albert, “I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.” “And what’s the name of the other leg?” Albert asks with a laugh, and “a wooden leg named Smith” becomes a running joke throughout the film.

That’s the problem with dangling participles and misplaced modifiers. They leave us firmly planted on midair. They spin the brain into images of a surreal world: I’ve got bells that jingle jangle jingle and phrases that dangle dingle dangle:

· We saw many bears driving through Yellowstone Park.

· After years of being lost under a pile of dust, Chester D. Thatcher found all the old records of the Bangor Lions Club at the Bangor house.

· No one was injured in the blast, which was attributed by a build-up of gas by a town official.

· With his tail held high, my father led his prize bull around the arena.

· I wish to express my thanks to the U.S. Postal Service for the great, kind service they give and for patience they have with little old ladies in mailing packages.

· Plunging 1,000 feet into the gorge, we saw Yosemite Falls.

· Jewel has certainly made her mark by being perhaps the first folksinger to take the stage with a guitar in four-inch heels and a miniskirt.

· One couldn’t help but be aware of the stallion Royal Rich sitting in the stands the last couple nights.

· As a baboon who grew up wild in the jungle, I realized that Wiki had special nutritional needs.

· He ran outside and chased after the cat with a broomstick in his underwear.

· LOST. A walking stick by an elderly man with a curiously carved ivory head.

· The bride was given in marriage by her father, wearing her mother’s wedding dress.

I hope you have a great day, everyone!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Good morning! One of you asked me about the word “shall” and if it was an old word that we don’t use too much anymore. I thought about “shall” vs. “should,” and I ended up in a mole hole up to my eyeballs. Here is some basic information from Merriam-Webster (M-W), a less-than-great YouTube video, and an internet (Copilot) search.

Should

From M-W:

Used to express condition.

Example: Should (if) you change your mind about coming to dinner, please let us know.

From Copilot:

Used to express advice, recommendation, or a less strict obligation. It conveys a sense of probability or expectation, such as "You should study for the exam". [KC – You don’t have to study, but I strongly recommend that you do.]

Shall

Shall is the past tense of “should.”

M-W also provided an archaic definition: have to; must.

From Copilot:

Used to indicate a mandatory obligation or a strong intention. It is often found in formal or legal contexts, such as "You shall attend the meeting, or you will be demoted.” [KC – This, compared to “should,” isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a more polite way to say, “you will.” For example, mother said “Timmy, you
shall accompany your father to the doctor, and I don’t want to hear ‘no’ again!”

There is more out there about which word to use with I, we, you, them, and other pronouns, but I’m going to skip the grammar and explain what I learned about law and order. Well,
not so much order, but definitely the law. In the legal system, should and
shall have caused lots of problems, so I’ll give you the basics in case you ever find yourself trying to define the legalese of a contract. This is from
LegalClarity.

"Shall" and "should" carry very different weight in legal documents, and courts don’t always agree on what they mean. Here’s how to read them clearly.

“Shall” creates a binding legal obligation, while “should” signals a recommendation. That one-word difference can determine whether ignoring a contract clause or statute exposes you to a lawsuit,
a penalty, or nothing at all.

When a statute or contract says a party “shall” do something, the default interpretation is that the action is mandatory. Courts ordinarily treat “shall” as creating a non-discretionary duty,
particularly when the same document also uses “may” for other provisions. If a lease says “the tenant shall maintain renter’s insurance throughout the lease term,” that tenant has a binding obligation, not a suggestion to consider.

“Should” carries a fundamentally different weight. Where “shall” imposes a duty, “should” recommends a course of action. A contract clause stating “the parties should attempt mediation before
filing suit” is encouraging mediation, not requiring it. Skipping that step won’t constitute a breach.

Failing to follow a “should” provision generally doesn’t expose you to penalties, contract termination, or statutory liability.

Maybe I need my own legal statement here? I do not guarantee the veracity of sites or language that is not my
own. How’s that? A cute puppy might help.

The other day I received some great information from one of you about something called an “orphaned negative.” An orphaned negative is a word that seems like it should have an opposite but doesn’t, for example, the word disgruntled. In English, we see the “dis” and expect an opposite to exist, such as displeased and its opposite, pleased. But if somebody is disgruntled, there is no opposite “gruntled.”

An orphaned negative is specifically a word where the prefix or suffix is negative, such as “dis-“ or “-less.” Similar words, like nonchalant, do not have an antonym (opposite) either, but because they don’t follow the exact rules for orphaned negatives, they are just called “unpaired words.”

I’ve included some examples below, most from Wikipedia. I’ve included definitions and notes on the words that are the expected opposites (but that we don’t use). Well, some people use them in humor. See Wikipedia for more examples, and Merriam-Webster for definitions.

Orphaned Negatives

Unpaired Words

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Dear Editrix,

As often typed in customer documentation referencing the whole “kit” of something (a complete collection, whole set of tools, etc.) that much seems clear. But what is a caboodle?

Sincerely,

Can I doodle a caboodle?

Dear Doodler,

The phrase “whole kit and caboodle” is an idiom that has been in the United States for a long time. I did some research on the following websites:

• The Grammarist
• The Online Etymology Dictionary
• Merriam-Webster

Here is my summation of the information from the three resources.

When someone says, “the whole kit and caboodle,” they are talking about all of the things in a group; everything. If there is a basketful of twenty ingredients and Chef Milo tells you to “Throw the whole kit and caboodle into the pot,” he means put everything into the pot. If he’s a stickler for the definition of “everything,” he might even be talking about the basket itself. Who knows? Maybe it is a basket made of pasta?

The phrase itself appears in the United States around late 1800s, but parts of the phrase have been around longer. Here is a breakdown:

• Kit (1785) – A soldier’s collection of personal items and supplies they carry; their belongings.
• Boodle – A crowd of people; collection; probably from Dutch boedel (property). Later used to refer to a lot of money obtained through nefarious means.
• Kit and boodle (1833-1855) – A combination of items within a group.
• The whole kit and caboodle (1884-present) – Everything (current definition)

The word “caboodle” is from adding “ca-“ to “boodle.” Why? I couldn’t find a precise answer. I’m guessing that someone was writing a limerick and they needed something to go with “boodle.”

Pat had a thought in his noodle

He decided to make apple strudel

He bought cinnamon, butter, and salt

Apples, sugar, raisins, and malt

And threw in the whole kit and caboodle.

Hmm. I don’t think I’d like his strudel very much. Malt? How about a chocolate shake instead?

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Dear Editrix,

I have a question: I am curious as to whether there are people – real people – named after these ordered levels, especially, the Latin ones, like Sextus and Octavus?

Sincerely,

The Inquisitor

Dear Inquisitor,

I guess my joke about Optimus Prime in my article about Latin terms of order was inspiring, huh? Well, first a reminder of the list of words we’re talking about:

0. Primus – primary
1. Secundus – secondary
2. Tertius – tertiary
3. Quartus – quaternary
4. Quintus – quinary
5. Sextus – senary
6. Septimus – septenary
7. Octavus – octonary
8. Nonus – nonary
9. Decimus – denary

And, as a lover of Roman history, I couldn’t wait to look this up. I searched for the two you mentioned, and found an article in Wikipedia.

The quick answer to your question is yes, there were people with names like Sextus and Octavus in Roman history. These names are called praenomen. Wikipedia translates that as a “personal name,” “given name,” “forename,” or as I would say: first name.

These names were used by both the common folk and the aristocrats, though their use faded over time. The name Sextus was the masculine name; Sexta was the feminine version. As last names (or surnames) Sextus developed into Sextia and Sextilia.

As we discussed before, these were the names for positions, such as first, second, third, etc. For first names, they usually meant the birth order of the child, such as second son, or fifth daughter. Some people say that it was also used for the month in which the child was born. (Though with the old Roman calendar the sixth month was August.)

Here are the more common names mentioned in the article:

Masculine:

· Quintus

· Sextus

· Septimus

· Octavius

· Nonus

· Decimus

Feminine:

· Prima

· Secunda

· Tertia

· Quarta

· Sexta

· Septima

· Octavia

· Nona

· Decima

I’m not sure if there wasn’t a name for the boys from one to four–Primus, Secundus, Tertus (LOL), Quartus—or the fifth girl (Quinta?), or maybe the article didn’t have evidence for these. Perhaps the first four boys and fifth girl got names instead of numbers? In any case, I hope that answers your questions!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Hello, folks. I found this image online (I don’t remember where). I’ve seen posters of animals at the local school (in English, Spanish, and German), but not shoes.

In this last issue of shoes you can use, here are a few of the rarer ones in detail.

Chukka boot

A chukka boot is an ankle-high leather or suede boot with open lacing and two or three pairs of eyelets, originally inspired by polo and military footwear. A desert boot is a particular type of chukka boot.

Balmoral boot

Balmoral boots feature a closed lacing system, which is a defining characteristic that distinguishes them from other types of boots. Some say it is an Oxford shoe in boot form. Originally, Balmoral boots extended to mid-calf, but modern versions usually sit just above the ankle.

D’Orsay

Defined by its distinctive design in which the sides of the shoe are cut away. This reveals the arch of the foot, while maintaining a structured heel and toe area.

This cutaway design can appear on one or both sides of the shoe, and when both sides are removed, it is sometimes called a "double D’Orsay"

Espadrilles

The soles are made from jute or hemp. Jute is a natural fiber known for its durability and sustainability. Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant grown for various purposes, like making rope or shoe soles.

The upper part of an espadrille is usually made from cotton or canvas. This characteristic provides breathability and comfort.

Espadrilles originated in Spain.

Jodhpur boot

Jodhpur boots are a style of ankle-high riding boots originally designed to be worn with jodhpurs (riding pants). They are characterized by a rounded toe, low heel, and often feature either elastic side panels or a zip closure for easy wear. The name comes from the Indian city of Jodhpur, where they were popularized among polo players in the 1920s.

There are also clogs and slippers and gladiator sandals…so many I did not cover. If you’re a foot fiend like Quentin Tarantino, the internet is your oyster. Have fun!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Hello! Today I’m back with more shoes. There are so many! Last time I showed you a passel of shoes traditionally labeled “women’s.” Now I’m going to show you some of those usually referred to as “men’s.” A lot of the names are used for both (like Oxfords) and share some of the same design characteristics. As someone who wears both men and women’s shoes (I have a foot like a boat paddle), I don’t pass judgment on which you prefer.

Here is the “anatomy of a dress shoe” from a place called Bespoke Unit, at least that’s what the drawing says:

The descriptions in the following table have been cobbled together from AI and various web sites. The shoes are manufactured by elves during the wee hours of the night.

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Hi folks. My husband and I were watching something on YouTube a few weeks ago. I don’t remember if it was about space, the differences between American and British English, or the history of something obscure. What I do know is that the presenter said “quaternary.” I think most of us are familiar with primary (first), secondary (second), and tertiary (third), but those are pretty much the only ranking words we use regularly.

Of course, I couldn’t leave it at that, I had to find out what more was out there. Here’s what I found: These terms are derived from Latin and used to describe ordered levels, from Wikipedia:

These are the top 12:

• Primary (1st)
• Secondary (2nd)
• Tertiary (3rd)
• Quaternary (4th)
• Quinary (5th)
• Senary (6th)
• Septenary (7th)
• Octonary (8th)
• Nonary (9th)
• Denary (10th)
• Undenary (11th)
• Duodenary (12th)

It starts getting a little hairy after that. Depending on where you use the numbers (math or science), which numbers you’re looking for (ordinal or cardinal), and which language you are using (English or Latin), answers change. I found the following list from Transformers. No, not really. The following list is composed of the Latin words for the first ten terms in the previous list., from alpharithims:

• Primus – primary
• Secundus – secondary
• Tertius – tertiary
• Quartus – quaternary
• Quintus – quinary
• Sextus – senary
• Septimus – septenary
• Octavus – octonary
• Nonus – nonary
• Decimus – denary

Optimus Prime: More than meets the eye!

Transformers: Robots in disguise!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Dear Editrix,

What is the difference between APA, MLA, CMOS, CSE, AMA, and IEEE?

Sincerely,

Mr. Inquisitive

Dear Mr. Inquisitive,

Thank you for the question!

These are all acronyms for the various style guides out there. Style guides include rules for grammar, language use, headings, fonts, numbering, and how to format citations. There is more to them than that, but I don’t want to bore you.

From the Purdue OWL:

Style guides are used as a way of making common elements consistent across documents written by many writers, in many places, and in many circumstances; as a result, readers from any university (or other audience groups) can read a paper written in APA style and know immediately how to navigate the headings of the paper, which details will be listed in the abstract, how quotes will be introduced and marked, where to look for important citation information, and what each citation element represents.

The primary difference between these citation styles lies in their discipline-specific focus (social sciences, humanities, history, sciences, medicine, or engineering) and their in-text citation methods (author-date, page numbers, or numbering).

Here are the acronyms, what the acronyms stand for, the field that uses them, and their emphasis.

Thank you for the question!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

Editor’s Corner Archives: https://episystechpubs.com/

Good morning, my friends. I just got back from a week in the Pacific Northwest with family, so I’m still catching up with my duties at work. Here is a brief Q&A from the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), with some interesting information about phone numbers.

Q. Which is the most correct phone number formatting—(xxx) xxx-xxxx, xxx-xxx-xxxx, or xxx.xxx.xxxx? Which is the most accessible?

A. You’ve punctuated your hypothetical telephone numbers—which are in the form most often used in the United States and Canada—in order of most familiar, most straightforward, and least conventional.

Putting the area code in parentheses is supposed to suggest that dialing it is optional. As area codes have increasingly become necessary even for local calls, this convention has nonetheless remained common.

As for accessibility, in our brief tests (using numerals rather than x’s), all three formats were read as phone numbers by both Microsoft® Word’s Read Aloud feature and Microsoft® Narrator—that is, as a series of ten individual digits with a pause after the third and sixth and not as three large numbers… And each was automatically turned into a callable phone number link in various messaging and email apps on a smartphone.

But only the first two are mentioned in the recommendations published by the International Telecommunication Union, so we’d advise using one of those (the ones without periods).

Note: This is an explanation of the reasoning behind the CMOS advice. Jack Henry® uses numbers with periods on our letterhead.

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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