» Word Rules (And Why You Should Break Them)

The newest edition of the Associated Press Stylebook is here! Now put down your party blowers and wait just a minute while I school you in some of the latest lingo. The new book has dedicated sections for social media and food (two of my favorite things!), as well as entries on a host of new words we’ve all become familiar with, such iPad, WikiLeaks, and the beloved “pat-down.” But I draw my subtitle from what I found to be some of the more exceptional new additions:

1) Spell out all measurements in recipes. This according to the new Food Guidelines section, which explicitly states: “Use figures for all quantities in recipes. Do not use abbreviations.” Gone are worries about remembering “t.” versus “T.”! Forget about practical worries such as preservation of space.

2) Wineglass is one word. This was news to me.

3) They recommend putting two apostrophes in “Do’s and Don’ts.” This one makes my teeth hurt. What exactly are the “Do’s” possessing? Certainly not integrity!

4) Now this is a very specific rule about something we’re always running into: writing about Gypsies. Always be clear that the Gypsies are the Roma people and the Roma people are Gypsies. NO MATTER WHICH TERM YOU USE. The guide specifically states, in both entries, that “the word should be explained: Gypsies, also known as Roma … Roma, also known as Gypsies.” There is no preferred term. The more you know!

Now go forth, and write about the world. You’ve got the new rules! So it’s time to start breaking them.