For Da Editors

[EUOL]

So, editing-type folks.  Here's a question for you.  The copy editor for my manuscript went crazy with cutting out my hyphens.  Now, I think most of these sound better with the hyphens--particularly the ones using 'well.'  For instance:

I like 'well-dressed' rather than 'well dressed.'

He was a well-dressed man.
He was a well dressed man.

Which do you prefer, and which do you think is correct?

[stacer]

I agree with you, and I think Chicago does, too. Let me look it up.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I can understand why you'd think well-dressed, but I dont' think I've ever actually seen it used.

[stacer]

"Most questions are readily answered by the dictionary." -- Certainly, that's the best place to look first.

"For some years now, the trend in spelling compound words has been away from the use of hyphens."

"When a temporary compound is used as an adjective before a noun, it is often hyphenated to avoid misleading the reader. The phrase a fast sailing ship, for example, is ambiguous. Does it refer to a ship that is now sailing fast or a sailing ship that is capable of rapid navigation?"

"Formerly, adjectival compounds, except those beginning with an adverb ending in -ly, were generally hyphenated before the noun they modified and open after the noun. The University of Chicago Press now takes the position that the hyphen may be omitted in all cases where there is little or no risk of ambiguity or hesitation."

So, Chicago disagrees with us. If it's unambiguously referring to a man who is well dressed, then no hyphen.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

but there's confusion! He could be a well man who is dressed!

of course, a comma would correct that.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Formerly, adjectival compounds, except those beginning with an adverb ending in -ly, were generally hyphenated before the noun they modified and open after the noun.

That is still our preferred style. When did it change? We're not using the most recent Chicago.

Brandon, I'd find out what TOR's house style is on this issue and just go with that unless there's ambiguity.

[stacer]

I have the 14th ed., which is what that's quoted from. The 15th ed. is out, though.

I second the finding out house style. If there's ambiguity on whether they'd do it or not, check with them.

[EUOL]

Oh, I'm sure it's house style.  This is one of their main copyeditors.  She knows what she's doing--it just looks wrong to me.

She did catch me on a bad habit I didn't even realize I had.  The use of 'only.'  Like in the line "They only went two blocks."  Apparently, in many cases, it should be "They went only two blocks."  In this sentence it doesn't really matter--but in several of mine she found, it actually makes more sense to put the only later.

It still feels a bit wrong to me, but I think she's right.

[stacer]

I know what you mean. My boss in Chicago was constantly correcting me on my use of only. I never had heard of it before that, and I don't think I have a very good sense for it.

[Brenna]

I've just decided that I hate the word only. I prefer writing it one way, and then I always have to put it in the "correct" spot later. Grumble.  And I would have changed it to "well dressed" too, though I don't have a particular preference.