Copy editors on the Web

It's not what I consider a "typo." He didn't transpose two letters. Someone -- writer or copy editor -- doesn't know the difference or didn't correct it. And yes, it is a matter of standards. It's a common homophone. It isn't a stretch to expect someone who works with words to know the difference.

 

Which I think was the original point. Maybe you need more copy editors to help you plow through all that with fewer mistakes, and there are plenty of them out there (copy editors, not mistakes).

 

I agree with this.

The industry is losing experienced copy editors. The new ones may be working hard, as SF noted. I'm glad they are and hope the veteran editors will help them develop their skills.

But journalists should know the difference between horde and hoard, and use the correct one.

 

I gotta tell you, everybody: I'm supposed to be halfway decent at this, and I still make "their/there" mistakes when I'm in a hurry. I guess maybe hoard/horde should be looked at a little more carefully because it's not nearly as prevalent, but still...