Re: 'in queue' v. 'in the queue'

[Darren Barefoot <dbarefoot -at- MPS-CANADA -dot- COM>]

Are you kidding? I thrive on the petty and the pedantic! After a brief
discussion with my co-workers, we'd definitely go with "in the queue." In my
mind, queue (a very British word) is more or less synonymous with "line
up"--though the former implies a greater sense of order. "In queue" sounds
rather like a club in the Latin sector of Paris. Thanks. DB.

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurah Limbrick [mailto:laurah_limbrick -at- CSGSYSTEMS -dot- COM]
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 9:04 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: 'in queue' v. 'in the queue'

Greetings techwhirlers--

Recently a style issue arose at my office regarding the correct usage of
'queue'.  I wanted to find out what the generally accepted usage is.  We
checked MS style manual, Sun's _Read Me First_, and Chicago.  Nothing
showed us the way.

So, our question is, what seems to be the preferred usage:  'in queue'
or 'in the queue'?
Example: 'The call list box in the bottom half of the window allows you
to view either live calls or customers in queue for callbacks.'

One school of thought says 'customers in the queue' and the other says
'customers in queue'.  My feeling is that 'in queue' is describing the
state of the customer, and is being used as an adjectival phrase, while
'in the queue' puts more focus on the state of being in the queue.

Sure, this seems petty to some, but here at CSG, WE NEED TO KNOW! :)

TIA,
Laurah

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