Words We Hate

There are, quite literally, dozens of words and/or phrases that, while they may technically be correct, they're written like a fifth-grader.

Many, many of them I see on AP stories. Others are in rags around here that make me cringe.

A few examples:
"... defeated Boston Tuesday." Boston Tuesday is not a team name. If you must, use "on" to separate proper nouns. However, you can fix all of those problems with one simple, yet effective, rule (that even the AP ignores): Time, Date, Place.
"The game is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Boston." Bang.

"over" is a preposition. AP (and seemingly everyone else) uses it to clarify the winner of a game. "Kansas City posted a 4-3 victory over Texas." That's one I hate.

"says" is another word I hate. Just hate it. What is worse is that the AP (and many other places) switch back and forth from past to present tense, seemingly ONLY to get the fucking word "says" in there. If they're still saying it to this minute, use "says," but if they just said it once, they fucking said it. "dies" is a close cousin. Unless they're still dying, they fucking died.

Using "it" as a pronoun for a team/city/state/school.

I use a rule of thumb to try to interchange the school name with the nickname, and ALWAYS try to avoid using "it."

A close cousin is using "s'" when not necessary. It looks better to say "Detroit's Miguel Cabrera" than "The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera".

 

When I was a line editor, I followed the stylebook. I did not let my personal thoughts about the style rules sway my editing.

However, since I am no longer a line editor, I think refusing to acknowledge 'over' when using the words 'win' or 'victory' is archaic.

The use of 'it' as you cite is just kind of lazy but doesn't really offend me.

There is no problem with the possessive - the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera.

I could not agree more with regard to 'says.' This is dumb attempt to create present tense when it doesn't exist.
You might be able to get away with says in a paraphrase, but it doesn't belong with quotes.

 

Language has rules.
The makers of the stylebook don't give a damn about language.
An editor should be expected to make a few judgment calls.

 

Incorrect. A publication has a style. The editor is subordinate to the publication.

 

Well, I differ.
I'm an award-winning writer, headline writer and experienced editor.
I'm not a slave to some dumb book when it is clearly wrong.

 

Speaking of which, I hate the words 'award-winning' in every context. If it's a big enough award to reference, name the award. Otherwise I assume the person is trying to pass off the equivalent of a regional Cable ACE award as an Oscar.

 

1st place Weekly Sports Section, New Hampshire

1st place feature photo, New Hampshire

Employee of the Year, Roswell

Award-winning!

Was 2nd in New England but thought I should've won. Looser!

 

Ever when used as "first ever." Worthless 99 percent of the time.

 

Past history suggests you are right.

 

I'm not going to out myself on this site.
Besides, it's immaterial.
Point is I've logged enough time in the game not to be subservient to a style guide.
Editors are paid to make decisions, not be robotic.

 

Agreed.

Only problem is I'm no longer in the game.

 

I'm with you.