Editor's Corner

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I love learning the etymologies (origins) of words. Studying French and Spanish has helped with a lot of Latin root words; learning some Greek has helped with…surprise! Greek root words. Anyway, it is always interesting to me to see where the words we use come from. I was reading this article from The Grammarist and thought I’d share, since we use both the words errata and addenda in our Episys eDocs. Maybe we should start including corrigenda, too!

Erratum, addendum, and corrigendum

Erratum, addendum and corrigendum are all terms that are used in publishing, legal documents and computer programs. We will examine the difference in meaning between erratum, addendum and corrigendum, where these terms came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Erratum refers to an error in a published material, a legal document or a computer program. The plural form of erratum is errata. Generally, errata is added to a recently published book in the form of inserted pages or at the end of a voluminous legal document. These corrections will be made in the next printing of the work. The word erratum is derived from the Latin word errare which means to wander or to make a mistake. [KC – Not to be confused with
Dean Martin’s “Volare, cantare…” which
means “to fly, to sing.”]

Addendum refers to information or material that is added to published material, a legal document or computer program. The plural form of addendum is addenda. An addendum is placed at the end of published material as additional information or documentation that is not needed in the original work, but does add more depth to the subject. The word addendum is derived from the Latin word addendus, meaning that which must be added. [KC – Not to be confused with “stupendous,” which is a great word to use for
Cirque de Soleil tricks.]

Corrigendum refers to text or material that is to be subtracted from published material, a legal document or a computer program. The plural form of corrigendum is corrigenda. Corrigenda usually list words and phrases that should be removed from the text, and provide the alternative words and phrases that should be inserted. The word corrigendum is derived from the Latin word corrigere, which means to correct. [KC – Not to be confused with, “No more hair, eh?”]

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

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