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For x-ray, I am pro-hyphen. I can't recall ever seeing it as "xray", but
even if I have (or do) it would certainly cause me to pause.
However, some of the other things in that list, I have come to realize, do
not directly support the argument for "e-words". Words such as "O-ring" and
"I-beam" are hyphenated not because they are adjectives formed of two words
(like electronic mail), but because they are adjectives formed of a single
letter and a word (and describe the actual shape of the thing they are
describing). To some people (e.g., my husband) these words actually detract
from the argument.
I think in the future, when using that argument (that I've snipped), it
would be good to evaluate each word that is noted.
Christi Carew
RangeStar Wireless
www.rangestar.com
All communication contained in this e-mail is entirely my own and is not
necessarily endorsed by my co-workers or employer.
> > >From Bill Walsh's at "The Curmudgeon's Style Book" at The Slot
> ><http://www.theslot.com/>
> I remember the last time this was posted. Was no one else bothered by
> this? To me xray is perfectly acceptable, and I've seen it all over
> the place.
