Confusables

Featured Topic: Usage Problems

Today’s News Roundup tackles the questions of whom, split infinitives, born vs. borne, and the historical present.

Proofreading is not the same as copyediting. Also in today’s News Roundup: a word’s power, what not to forget as a freelancer, douse vs. dowse, and the relative importance of the publisher’s list.

Top pick

“Wannabe Editors: Can You Pass a Proofreading Test?”: Proofreading is not the same as copyediting. (The Subversive Copy Editor Blog)

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What can you do when you’re stuck on a problem? Also in today’s News Roundup: five tips for succeeding at freelancing, part 2 of Grammarnoir 5, bated, and zimmo.

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• “The Value of Taking a Productive Pause”: When you’re stuck on a problem, the best solution sometimes is to walk away. (99U)

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Kentucky’s new slogan: too gritty to print? Also in today’s News Roundup: determining the most peevish peeve; look; how much time to spend on freelancing; and the difference between bring and take.

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“When Did Kicking Ass Become Acceptable?”: Kentucky’s new slogan brings up a discuss of vulgarity and acceptability. (BBC News Magazine)

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In the last few days I’ve seen both “whet your whistle” and “wet your appetite,” and neither is correct. Most people’s lips don’t need to be any sharper, and appetites aren’t aroused by giving them a good soaking. Here’s how to keep wet and whet in their proper places.

Wet Your Whistle

I have no idea how a conversation about card tricks turned in a more lewd direction, but to elude that road, I alluded to Houdini’s ability to illude his audience. I had deluded myself into thinking the discussion would safely follow suit. That’s right: I was deluded to think I could elude the lewdness with an allusion to illusion.

Just in case such a -lude word trick works for you sometime, here are the cards you’ll need in your hand:

We love to take apart big speeches. Was Obama’s inaugural address scrutinized fairly or peevishly nitpicked? Also in today’s News Roundup: FT is going digital first, Wordnik’s parent is growing its digital offerings, examining Twitter publishing methods, and untangling wigs.

Top pick

“Obama’s Second Inaugural: Behind the Words”: Fair scrutiny or peevish nitpicking? (Word Routes)

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It’s a new year. What measurements will help you run your business best, freelancers? Also in today’s News Roundup: compared to vs compared with; how to say no; unusual words in The Wall Street Journal; and proving an argument with personal preference.

Top pick

“The Business of Editing: New Year, New Books”: It may take time to track numbers valuable to your business, but it’s time well spent. (An American Editor)

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Although having hair of any kind might be a luxury for some, in general, luxuriant is the word you’re looking for to describe thick, healthy hair. Or anything else particularly prolific, lush, or abundant. Luxurious is best reserved for things that are expensive, elegant, opulent—think of a luxurious hotel or spa.

Just in time: five tips to freelancing during the holidays. Also in today’s News Roundup: a pleasing mix (we hope) of serious and fun before we head out for the break. Happy holidays, all!

Top pick

“Freelancing at Christmas”: Five tips to being a freelancer during the holidays. (Freelance Advisor)

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