News Roundup

Chairperson has replaced chairman; should actor replace actress? Also in today’s News Roundup, a series of how-tos: proofread a Kindle file; develop a freelance business plan; attend a plagiarism summit; and make the leap to freelancing.

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“The Gender Agenda”: Is there a line to be drawn on how neutral to make the language? (Angry Sub-Editor)

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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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Words we love from Downton Abbey. Also in today’s News Roundup: a new type of abbreviation, creative word play, graduate, and freelance job satisfaction. Plus your Friday bonus.

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“Downton Soup: The Words of Downton Abbey, Season 3”: Some words to enjoy while watching Downton. (Wordnik)

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Start your day with a little romance in your words. Also in today’s News Roundup: editors can learn from being edited; only some grammar rules are breakable; singular they, and a new story in the Grammarnoir series.

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“Honeymoons, Babymoons, and the Surprising Origin Story of -moon Words”: It’s no surprise that romance figures strongly in -moon words, but honey? (The Week)

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Employee or freelancer, the Freelancers Union has three tips for reducing your stress. Also in today’s News Roundup: adjectives becoming nouns; three productivity secrets; AMA style questions answered; and Obama’s inaugural address.

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“Beat Stress with the 3 B's”: Before your next meeting or presentation, take five with these three steps. (Freelancers Union)

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Gay marriage legislation has some discussing whether you can separate social influence from dictionary definitions. Also in today’s News Roundup: limiting your inner perfectionist; the asymmetric make sure and X; occasionally working from your local … coffee house; and which geographic features make it into dictionaries.

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“Revision, Respect, and Etymological Cleansing”: Can we remove social influence from word meanings? (Lingua Franca)

Did you spot the recent doozy of an anachronism in Downton Abbey? Also in Today’s News Roundup: five ways to pre-qualify clients; the problem grammar of academics; one place not to use singular they; and swang.

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“A Steep Learning Curve for Downton Abbey”: A recent episode of the hit show is guilty of the worst anachronism yet. (Word Routes)

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Should changes in English equate to changes in our beloved Scrabble? Also in today’s News Roundup: the performative asterisk; Ben Yagoda’s new book; marketing terms to cut; passion; and an OED word slip.

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“Are Scrabble Tile Values in Need of an Overhaul?”: English has changed a lot in the last 75 years. Should tile values change in response? (The Hot Word)

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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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Technology can help an editor, but can it replace an editor? Also in today’s News Roundup: the versatility of prepositions, internet, disassociate, and one-word stories.

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“Is Editing a Future Safe Harbor?”: Technology can do a lot, but do they recognize the nuances that editors can? (An American Editor)

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