In The Copyeditor's Handbook, author Amy Einsohn writes about how editors essentially need to get over their pet peeves and realize that just because a particular word or phrase bugs them doesn't mean it should be stricken from the page.
That's a hard pill to swallow, but I suppose she's right. So from now on, I will not immediately put pen to paper when I see the word "impact" used as a verb. I will pause before suggesting alternatives for overused buzzwords like "out-of-the-box" or "synergy". I will explore my need to question how something can be "more unique".
But I draw the line (literally and figuratively) at "irregardless".
Posts
2 comments:
1. Impact should not be used, ever, as a verb for a wide variety of reasons.
2. How can something be more one of a kind?
3. Irregardless just isn't a word. People who use it must be taught this.
Yeah, I know . . . so it's our job as writers to keep these literary injustices from creeping into our writing. But from an editorial standpoint, I'm gonna try to give other writers more slack.
Post a Comment