TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Mousepad or mouse pad? From:"Michael West" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com> To:techwr-l Date:Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:14:31 +1100
Goldstein, Dan wrote:
> Any citations for the above? The latter wins in a Googlefight, but I
> was hoping for a better authority than the Great Unwashed.
It is not a matter of authority. If comprehension is important,
go with the version most used by your audience.
The two words will eventually be merged into one; compare
"tablecloth", "bedspread", and countless other examples.
Whether you want to be in the vanguard or run with the
herd is strictly a stylistic matter.
--
Michael West