Editor's Corner

Being a January baby, I’ve always loved Janus words. This year, lucky me, Grammar Girl wrote about this very topic and included a cool photo of the Roman god Janus. Here is most of her article, but if you want to read the entire thing, you can find it here.

In this dark first month of the year, it seems like a good time to talk about Janus words, also known as contronyms and auto-antonyms, because January gets its name from the two-faced Roman god named Janus as well.

Words that have two opposite meanings such as “dust” (which can mean both “to add a light layer” as in “I dusted the cake with powdered sugar,” and “to remove dust,” as in “I dusted the baseboards before everyone came over for dinner,) are called Janus words because the god Janus is usually shown with two faces looking in opposite directions, and that “oppositeness” represents the opposite word meanings.

January gets its name from the same Roman god because as the god of doorways and archways, he’s also thought of as looking into the past and the future and representing transitions such as the transition from the old year to the new year.

What Are Auto-Antonyms?

These words are also called auto-antonyms because an antonym is a word with an opposite meaning. For example, “wiggly” is an antonym of “still.” A wiggly baby is the opposite of a still baby. Most words can have lots of antonyms, not just one, so “thrashing” is also an antonym of “still.” A thrashing baby is also the opposite of a still baby.

When you add the prefix “auto,” which means “self,” you get “auto-antonym”: a word that is its own antonym.

“Sanction”: Approve and Punish

“Sanction is a common example. A few years ago I told you that the Associated Press had sanctioned the use of “hopefully” as a sentence adverb, meaning that it’s OK to write a sentence like “Hopefully, Squiggly saved some chocolate for the rest of us.” That meant the Associated Press put its stamp of approval on such sentences, but if I had written that the Associated Press sanctioned writers it found using “hopefully” in this way, it would mean it had punished its writers—taken action against “hopefully” instead of supporting it.

“Sanction” can mean “to approve or ratify something,” but it can also mean to “punish or penalize someone.” However, you’re safer using it to mean “approve.” The “penalize” meaning is much, much newer: people only began using it in the 1950s. The Oxford English Dictionary sniffs its nose at the “penalize” meaning, calling it of “doubtful acceptability,” and Bryan Garner, who trains lawyers to write and is the author of Garner’s Modern English Usage, says that lawyers who use the “penalize” meaning risk being misunderstood since the “approve” meaning is dominant in legal circles. So even though “sanction” has two meanings, one is more common, and people could be confused if you use the uncommon one

“Seed”: Add and Remove

Another contronym that, like “dust,” can mean both “to add” and “to remove” is “seed.” When you seed a tomato, you remove the seeds; but when you seed a lawn, you add seeds.

“Trim”: Add and Remove

And a third verb that can mean both “to add” and “to remove” is “trim.” You can trim your bangs to shorten them or trim a tree to add decorations to it.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

Dear readers,

Have I told you lately how much I love you? Well, I think you are all just splendid! I’ve received some very smart questions lately, which have led me to some interesting research. I want to thank you for your input and your questions because they keep this blog pertinent and interactive. Today’s items are a perfect example. Both of the following words were sent in by employees who have been reading the British classics (Jane Eyre) and other books from “across the pond.”

The first word is anticlockwise. You might guess that this means the same as counterclockwise (“to move in the opposite direction to the way the hands of an analog clock move”), and you’d be right. What you might not know is that anticlockwise is used chiefly in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Both words are close to the same age, though anticlockwise is a tad bit older, with its first known use in 1879. Counterclockwise, the preferred term in the United States, was first used in 1888.

According to this graph, it looks like anticlockwise is becoming more popular lately:

The other word today, from our Jane Eyre fan, is unclose. Again, you might guess that this means “open,” and you’d be correct, though it has a little more flair to it than that. Unclose also means to unclench, to disclose, or to reveal. It has been around since the 14thcentury, but it is considered rare. One of the items I read about it describe it as a “poetic” way to say open.

Unlcose has recently seen a rise in use, but it was definitely more popular when Charlotte Brontë published Jane Eyre in 1847.

And a funny from one of our readers:

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

When I was in the fourth grade, my class had a weekly spelling bee on every Friday, and I lived for it! Every Monday my teacher would pass out the words for the quiz on Friday, and we would practice memorizing the words all week. For the more difficult words, my mom used to help me create sentences that started with each letter of the word so that I could remember how to spell the words. For example, Arithmetic (A rat in the house may eat the Italian cheese).

Click here for a fun spelling quiz from Merriam-Webster. Click the audio button on the right-side of the words “Hear it” to hear the word. Once the audio starts, you’ll have 15 seconds to spell the word.

Jackie Solano | Technical Editor | Symitar®

8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123 | Ph. 619.542.6711 | Extension: 766711

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.

Good morning, dear readers.

It is our department’s tradition to bring in a dessert to share on our birthday. It works well because, on your birthday, you always get something you like, nobody else has to collect money from coworkers to pay for it, and if you don’t get a birthday treat, you only have yourself to blame for forgetting.

I worked from home on my birthday yesterday, but next week I hope to bring in something chocolatey to celebrate. In honor of chocolate mousse cake, here is an article about mousse and moose!

From The Grammarist:

Moose and mousse are two words that are pronounced in the same manner but are spelled differently and have different meanings, which makes them homophones. We will examine the definitions of moose and mousse, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

A moose is a large animal with antlers that is found in the northern forests of America, Europe, and Asia. It is of the deer family. The plural form is moose, not mooses or meese. The word moose is derived from the Algonquian language, probably from the Eastern Abnaki word, mos.

A mousse is a culinary dish that is whipped with egg white and cream, making it light and smooth. Mousse may be sweet or savory, served as a side dish, main dish or dessert. Today, the term mousse is often applied to makeup and hair products. The word mousse is a borrowed or loan word, taken from the Old French mousse meaning froth. Borrowed words and loan words are terms that have been taken from other languages and used as English words and phrases.

Moussaka is a delicious Greek dish made with eggplant, but that’s for another day.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

I’m afraid there’s not a simple way to explain whether to use between or among when you are comparing things, but I’ll give it a try. The good news is that, for most of you, this is something you know inherently, and you don’t really need an explanation. But for English language learners, this can be a bugaboo.

The rule you may have heard is that you should use between when you are talking about two things, and you should use among when you are talking about three or more things. And that rule will serve you well—much of the time.

But consider this sentence: “I am choosing ________ my mom, my dad, and my best friend to share my lottery winnings with.” You’ve got three things there, but intuitively you probably know that you should use between. Why is that?

Well, it is true that we always use between when we are talking about only two things, but we also use between when we are talking about three or more things individually. Because I listed my mom, my dad, and my best friend separately, I need to use between.

If I had said, “The office workers decided to divide their lottery winnings evenly ________ themselves,” it would feel natural, and it would be correct, to use among. In that case, I am not listing the office workers individually. They are a whole group of lucky people who get to share the winnings.

(As a side note, the words among and amongst mean the same thing. Among is most commonly used in the United States while amongst is most commonly used in the United Kingdom.)

And now you have an explanation for a rule that you didn’t even know you needed an explanation for. You’re welcome!

Donna Bradley Burcher | Senior Technical Editor | Symitar®

8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123 | Ph. 619.278.0432 | Extension: 765432

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.

Today’s offering is the second half of the list I shared with you yesterday from various church bulletins. The following quotes are from Funny Typos and Grammar Errors That Bug Real Church Bulletins. Enjoy!

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

***

Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

***

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.

***

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

***

Please place your donation in the envelope a long with the deceased person you want remembered.

***

The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

***

Don’t let worry kill you off—let the Church help.

***

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

***

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack’s sermons.

***

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

***

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

***

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.

***

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

Good morning! I want to thank our coworker, Marvin Rau, for sending me an article that included some of these typos. I’ll spread them over two days so your laughter lasts twice as long! The following quotes are from Funny Typos and Grammar Errors That Bug Real Church Bulletins.

Thank goodness for dear old church ladies and gentlemen with word processors. These sentences that come from a collection in alphaDictonary.com actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services. For some inexplicable reason, typos and slips of language are funnier coming from church.

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

***

Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands.

***

Miss Charlene Mason sang “I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

***

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

***

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say “Hell” to someone who doesn’t care much about you.

***

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.

Whenever New Years Day rolls around, people love to make predictions about the coming year. For the past week or so, my newsfeed has been filled with forecasts about celebrities, politics, sports, technology, and the stock market.

Heres one prediction thats sure to come true: In 2018 (and for years to come), people will continue to be confused by the words prophecy and prophesy. But not you, dear reader.

The words prophet, prophecy, and prophesy all come from Greek pro (before) + phts (speaker). They can refer to divine inspiration, as in the following definitions (from Merriam-Webster):

prophet: (noun) one who utters divinely inspired revelations

prophecy: (noun) an inspired utterance of a prophet

prophesy: (verb) to speak as if divinely inspired

They can also refer more generally to predicting the future:

prophet: (noun) one who foretells future events

prophecy: (noun) a prediction of something to come

prophesy: (verb) to make a prediction

Most people correctly use the nouns prophet and prophecy (which rhymes with see). But many people get tripped up by the verb prophesy (which rhymes with sigh). Prophesy is correctly conjugated in the following examples:

Holy men were prophesying the coming of a new messiah.

The book claims that modern events were prophesied in ancient times.

There is no Z in prophesy, but so many people started saying prophesize that it is now listed in many dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster. The Chicago Manual of Style is not so permissive, tersely stating, Prophesize is an erroneous form.

This is the last Editors Corner post of 2017, but well be back next Tuesday. I wish you all health and happiness in the new year.

Ben Ritter | Technical Editor | Symitar
8985 Balboa Avenue | San Diego, CA 92123
619-682-3391 | or ext. 763391 | www.Symitar.com

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.

Good morning!

I don’t know about you, but more than one of my English teachers told me that it is wrong to start a sentence with a conjunction (and, but, or, so, etc.). Well, they were incorrect. This rule turns out to be a myth.

The Chicago Manual of Style (5.203: “Beginning a sentence with a conjunction”) has this to say:

There is a widespread belief—one with no historical or grammatical foundation—that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction such as and, but or so. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions. It has been so for centuries, and even the most conservative grammarians have followed this practice.

It turns out that we’ve been starting sentences with conjunctions since the 9th century, according to Merriam-Webster, who also say, “Everybody agrees that it’s all right to begin a sentence with and, and nearly everybody admits to having been taught at some past time that the practice was wrong."

So how did this myth of a rule start? A couple of articles I read say that it likely began with teachers trying to prevent children from stringing together numerous sentences that begin with coordinating conjunctions.

According to Dave Crystal in his book The Story of English in 100 Words:

During the 19th century, some schoolteachers took against the practice of beginning a sentence with a word like but or and, presumably because they noticed the way young children overused them in their writing. But instead of gently weaning the children away from overuse, they banned the usage altogether! Generations of children were taught they should “never” begin a sentence with a conjunction. Some still are.

Thanks 19th century kids. You ruined it for all of us!

In case you’d like to see an example of how you can write a correct sentence beginning with and or but, here are a couple of sentences from the 1959 edition of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style: But since writing is communication, clarity can only be a virtue. And although there is no substitute for merit in writing, clarity comes closest to being one.

So, there you go! In the 21st century, you are free to begin your sentences with coordinating conjunctions. Just be careful to use them sparingly or you know what’ll happen.

Donna Bradley Burcher | Senior Technical Editor | Symitar®

8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123 | Ph. 619.278.0432 | Ext: 765432

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And moms and dads yelling
Till kids are in tears

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Okay, I’m pretty sure those aren’t the words, so I probably won’t be invited to go caroling with any of you. But I do like this time of year for all of the recaps and the stories about things that happened, plus what we have to look forward to in the new year. Today I have the Word of the Year for you, from Dictionary.com, which is based on the Random House Dictionary.

Drumroll please!

The Word of the Year is:

complicit (adjective)

1. choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others; having complicity.

Here is some additional information from the website:

The word complicit sprung up in conversations in 2017 about those who spoke out against powerful figures and institutions and about those who stayed silent. It was a year of real awakening to complicity in various sectors of society, from politics to pop culture. From our 2017 Word of the Year announcement:

Our choice for Word of the Year is as much about what is visible as it is about what is not. It’s a word that reminds us that even inaction is a type of action. The silent acceptance of wrongdoing is how we’ve gotten to this point. We must not let this continue to be the norm. If we do, then we are all complicit.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services