The Project Gutenberg eBook ofCompound WordsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Compound WordsAuthor: Frederick W. HamiltonRelease date: January 4, 2010 [eBook #30847]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Stephanie Eason,and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net.*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPOUND WORDS ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Compound WordsAuthor: Frederick W. HamiltonRelease date: January 4, 2010 [eBook #30847]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Stephanie Eason,and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net.
Title: Compound Words
Author: Frederick W. Hamilton
Author: Frederick W. Hamilton
Release date: January 4, 2010 [eBook #30847]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Stephanie Eason,and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team athttp://www.pgdp.net.
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPOUND WORDS ***
Thesubject of compounds is one of the most difficult of the matters relating to correct literary composition. The difficulty arises from the fact that usage, especially in the matter of the presence or absence of the hyphen, is not clearly settled. Progressive tendencies are at work and there is great difference of usage, even among authorities of the first rank, with regard to many compounds in common use.
An attempt is made to show first the general character of the problems involved. Then follows a discussion of the general principles of compounding. The general rules for the formation of compounds are stated and briefly discussed. The various components of compounds are fully analyzed and tabulated. The best modern usage in the matter of the employment of the hyphen is set forth in a series of rules. The whole is concluded by practical advice to the compositor as to the use of the rules in the actual work of the office.
TheEnglish language contains a great many words and phrases which are made up of two or more words combined or related in such a way as to form a new verbal phrase having a distinct meaning of its own and differing in meaning from the sum of the component words taken singly.Incomeandoutgo, for example, have quite definite meanings related, it is true, tocomeandgoand toinandout, but sharply differentiated from those words in their ordinary and general signification. We use these compound words and phrases so commonly that we never stop to think how numerous they are, or how frequently new ones are coined. Any living language is constantly growing and developing new forms. New objects have to be named, new sensations expressed, new experiences described.
Sometimes these words are mere aggregations likeautomobile,monotype,sidewalk,policemanand the like. Sometimes, indeed very often, they are short cuts. Ahatboxis a box for carrying a hat, ared-hairedman is a man with red hair. Abookcaseis a case to contain books, etc.
Sometimes the phrase consists of two or more separate words, such aswell knownornicely kept. Sometimes it consists of words joined by a hyphen, such asboarding-house,sleeping-car. Sometimes it consists of a single word formed by amalgamating or running together the components, such aspenholder,nevertheless.
In which of these forms shall we write the phrase we speak so easily? How shall we shape the new word we have just coined? Which of these three forms shall we use, and why? Ordinarily we look for the answer to such questions from three sources, historical development, the past of the language; some logical principle of general application; or some recognized standard of authority.Unfortunately we get little help from either of these sources in this special difficulty.
The history of the language is a history of constant change. The Anglo-Saxon tongue was full of compounds, but the hyphen was an unknown device to those who spoke it. The English of Chaucer, the period when our new-born English tongue was differentiated from those which contributed to its composition, is full of compounds, and the compounds were generally written with a hyphen. Shakespeare used many compound words and phrases some of which sound strange, if not uncouth, to modern ears, but used the hyphen much less than Chaucer. In modern times the tendency has been and is to drop the hyphen. The more general progression seems to be (1) two words, (2) two words hyphenated, (3) two words run together into one. Sometimes, however, the hyphen drops, leaving two words separated. That there is constant change, and that the change is progressing consistently in the direction of eliminating the hyphen is fairly clear. This, however, does not help us much. At what stage of the process are we with regard to any given word? Which form of the process is operating in any given case?
There are no laws or principles of universal application on which we may build a consistent system of practice. Certain general principles have been laid down and will be here set forth. While they are helpful to the understanding of the subject they are not sufficiently universal to serve as practical guides in all cases. In any event they need to be supplemented by careful study of the rules for the use of the hyphen, by careful study of the best usage in particular cases, and by thorough knowledge of the style of each particular office, as will be pointed out later. Authorities and usage differ widely, and it is often difficult to say that a particular form is right or wrong.
There is no recognized standard authority. The dictionaries do not agree with each other and are not always consistent with themselves. They may always write a certain word in a certain way but they may write another word to all appearance exactly analogous to the first in anotherway. For example Worcester hasbrickworkandbrasswork, butwood-workandiron-work. Webster, on the other hand, haswoodworkandbrick-work.
The best that the printer can do is to adopt a set of rules or style of his own and stick to it consistently. Here and there a generally accepted change, like the dropping of the hyphen fromtomorrowandtodaywill force itself upon him, but for the most part he may stick to his style. Of course, the author, if he has a marked preference, must be permitted to use his own methods of compounding except in magazine publications and the like. In such cases, when the author’s work is to appear in the same volume with that of other writers, the style of the printing office must rule and the individual contributors must bow to it.
Threegeneral principles are laid down by Mr. F. Horace Teall which will be found useful, though they must be supplemented in practice by more specific rules which will be given later. They are as follows:
IAll words should be separate when used in regular grammatical relations and construction unless they are jointly applied in some arbitrary way.
Aniron fencemeans a fence made of iron. The meaning and construction are normal and the words are not compounded.Aniron-sawmeans a saw for cutting iron. The meaning is not the same asiron sawwhich would mean a saw made of iron. The hyphenated compound indicates the special meaning of the words used in this combination.Ironwoodis a specific name applied to a certain kind of very hard wood. Hence, it becomes a single word compounded but without a hyphen. Either of the other forms would be ambiguous or impossible in meaning.
Aniron fencemeans a fence made of iron. The meaning and construction are normal and the words are not compounded.
Aniron-sawmeans a saw for cutting iron. The meaning is not the same asiron sawwhich would mean a saw made of iron. The hyphenated compound indicates the special meaning of the words used in this combination.
Ironwoodis a specific name applied to a certain kind of very hard wood. Hence, it becomes a single word compounded but without a hyphen. Either of the other forms would be ambiguous or impossible in meaning.
IIAbnormal associations of words generally indicate unification in sense and hence compounding in form.
Asleeping manis a phrase in which the words are associated normally. The man sleeps.Asleeping-caris a phrase in which the words are associated abnormally. The car does not sleep. It is a specially constructed car in which the passengers may sleep comfortably.Aking fishermight be a very skilful fisherman. Akingfisheris a kind of bird. Here again we have an abnormal association of words and as the compound word is the name of a specific sort of bird there is nohyphen. Aking-fisher, if it meant anything, would probably mean one who fished for kings, as apearl-diveris one who dives for pearls.
Asleeping manis a phrase in which the words are associated normally. The man sleeps.
Asleeping-caris a phrase in which the words are associated abnormally. The car does not sleep. It is a specially constructed car in which the passengers may sleep comfortably.
Aking fishermight be a very skilful fisherman. Akingfisheris a kind of bird. Here again we have an abnormal association of words and as the compound word is the name of a specific sort of bird there is nohyphen. Aking-fisher, if it meant anything, would probably mean one who fished for kings, as apearl-diveris one who dives for pearls.
IIIConversely, no expression in the language should ever be changed from two or more words into one (either hyphenated or solid) without change of sense.
Saw trimmeris not compounded because there is no change in the commonly accepted sense of either word.Color workis not compounded because the wordcolor, by usage common in English, has the force of an adjective, and the words are used in their accepted sense. In other languages it would be differently expressed, for example, in French it would beoeuvre, orimprimerie en couleur,work, or,printing in color.Pressworkis compounded because it has a special and specific meaning. Good or bad presswork is a good or bad result of work done on a press.Here as everywhere in printing the great purpose is to secure plainness and intelligibility. Print is made to read. Anything which obscures the sense, or makes the passage hard to read is wrong. Anything which clears up the sense and makes the passage easy to read and capable of only one interpretation is right.
Saw trimmeris not compounded because there is no change in the commonly accepted sense of either word.
Color workis not compounded because the wordcolor, by usage common in English, has the force of an adjective, and the words are used in their accepted sense. In other languages it would be differently expressed, for example, in French it would beoeuvre, orimprimerie en couleur,work, or,printing in color.
Pressworkis compounded because it has a special and specific meaning. Good or bad presswork is a good or bad result of work done on a press.
Here as everywhere in printing the great purpose is to secure plainness and intelligibility. Print is made to read. Anything which obscures the sense, or makes the passage hard to read is wrong. Anything which clears up the sense and makes the passage easy to read and capable of only one interpretation is right.
Some writers lay much stress on the influence of accent in the formation of compounds while others ignore it entirely. Accent undoubtedly has some influence and the theory may be easily and intelligibly expressed. It ought to be understood, but it will not be found an entirely safe guide. Usage has modified the results of compounding in many cases in ways which do not lend themselves to logical explanation and classification.
The general principle as stated by Mr. Teall is as follows:
When each part of the compound is accented, use the hyphen;laughter-loving.When only one part is accented, omit the hyphen;many sided.When the accent is changed, print the compound solid;broadsword. This follows the general rule of accenting the first syllable in English words.
When each part of the compound is accented, use the hyphen;laughter-loving.
When only one part is accented, omit the hyphen;many sided.
When the accent is changed, print the compound solid;broadsword. This follows the general rule of accenting the first syllable in English words.
ITwo nouns used together as a name form a compound noun unless:
(a) The first is used in a descriptive or attributive sense, that is, is really an adjective, or(b) The two are in apposition.
(a) The first is used in a descriptive or attributive sense, that is, is really an adjective, or
(b) The two are in apposition.
Various uses of the noun as an adjective, that is, in some qualifying or attributive sense are when the noun conveys the sense of:
1. “Made of;”leather belt,steel furniture.2. “Having the shape, character, or quality of;”diamond pane,iron ration,bull calf.3. “Pertaining to, suitable for, representing;”office desk,labor union.4. “Characterized by;”motor drive.5. “Situated in, and the like;”ocean current,city life.6. “Supporting or advocating;”union man,Bryan voter.7. “Existing in or coming from;”Yellowstone geyser,California lemon.8. “Originated or made by, named for;”Gordon Press,Harvard College.Placing the two nouns in apposition is much the same as using the first as an adjective.Such compounds are generally written as two words without the hyphen, but see specific rules for use of hyphens.
1. “Made of;”leather belt,steel furniture.
2. “Having the shape, character, or quality of;”diamond pane,iron ration,bull calf.
3. “Pertaining to, suitable for, representing;”office desk,labor union.
4. “Characterized by;”motor drive.
5. “Situated in, and the like;”ocean current,city life.
6. “Supporting or advocating;”union man,Bryan voter.
7. “Existing in or coming from;”Yellowstone geyser,California lemon.
8. “Originated or made by, named for;”Gordon Press,Harvard College.
Placing the two nouns in apposition is much the same as using the first as an adjective.
Such compounds are generally written as two words without the hyphen, but see specific rules for use of hyphens.
IIEvery name apparently composed of a plain noun and a noun of agent or verbal noun, but really conveyingthe sense of a phrase with suffixer,or, oring, should be treated as a compound;roller distribution.
IIIPossessive phrases used as specific names (generally plants) are treated as compounds.
They are hyphenated unless very common, in which case they are closed up;crane’s-bill,ratsbane.
They are hyphenated unless very common, in which case they are closed up;crane’s-bill,ratsbane.
IVAny phrase used as a specific name in an arbitrary application not strictly figurative is written as a compound;blueberry,red-coat,forget-me-not.
VAny pair of words used as one name of which the second is a noun but the first not really an adjective should be written as a compound;foster-brother,down-town,after-consideration.
As elsewhere the use of the hyphen depends largely in the familiarity of the phrase;spoilsport,pickpocket.
As elsewhere the use of the hyphen depends largely in the familiarity of the phrase;spoilsport,pickpocket.
VIAny two words other than nouns should be treated as a compound, generally solid, when arbitrarily associated as a name;standpoint,outlook.
VIIA name or an adjective made by adding a suffix to a proper name compounded of two words should be treated as a compound with a hyphen;East-Indian,New-Yorker. If the name is not inflected this rule does not apply;East India Company,New York man.
VIIIAny pair or series of words arbitrarily associated in a joint sense different from their sense when used separately, should be compounded;workman-like,warlike.
Compounds having the force of nouns may be made up in several ways.
1. Two nouns used in other than their natural signification;claw-hammer.2. A noun and an adjective used in other than their natural signification;great-uncle,dry-goods.3. A noun and an adverb;touch-down,holder-forth.4. A noun and an adverb;down-draft,flare-back.5. A noun and a verb;know-nothing,draw-bar.6. A noun and a preposition;between-decks.7. Two adjectives;high-low,wide-awake.8. Two verbs;make-believe.9. A verb and an adverb;cut-off,break-up.10. A verb and a preposition;to-do,go-between.
1. Two nouns used in other than their natural signification;claw-hammer.
2. A noun and an adjective used in other than their natural signification;great-uncle,dry-goods.
3. A noun and an adverb;touch-down,holder-forth.
4. A noun and an adverb;down-draft,flare-back.
5. A noun and a verb;know-nothing,draw-bar.
6. A noun and a preposition;between-decks.
7. Two adjectives;high-low,wide-awake.
8. Two verbs;make-believe.
9. A verb and an adverb;cut-off,break-up.
10. A verb and a preposition;to-do,go-between.
Compounds having the force of adjectives may be made up in several ways.
1. A group of words compacted into one idea;never-to-be-forgotten.2. Two adjectives;white-hot,ashy-blue.3. An adjective and a participle or noun and suffix simulating a participle;odd-looking,foreign-born,bow-legged.4. An adjective and a noun;fire-new,type-high.5. A noun and a participle (or noun and suffix simulating a participle);hand-printed,peace-making.6. An adverb and an adjective used together before a noun;well-bred,long-extended.7. Two nouns used adjectively before another noun;cotton-seed oil,shoe-sewing machine,Sunday-school teacher.8. An adjective and a noun used together before a noun;civil-service examination,free-trade literature,fresh-water sailor.9. A verb and a noun;John Lack-land.
1. A group of words compacted into one idea;never-to-be-forgotten.
2. Two adjectives;white-hot,ashy-blue.
3. An adjective and a participle or noun and suffix simulating a participle;odd-looking,foreign-born,bow-legged.
4. An adjective and a noun;fire-new,type-high.
5. A noun and a participle (or noun and suffix simulating a participle);hand-printed,peace-making.
6. An adverb and an adjective used together before a noun;well-bred,long-extended.
7. Two nouns used adjectively before another noun;cotton-seed oil,shoe-sewing machine,Sunday-school teacher.
8. An adjective and a noun used together before a noun;civil-service examination,free-trade literature,fresh-water sailor.
9. A verb and a noun;John Lack-land.
Four compounds occur with the force of verbs.
1. Two verbs;balance-reef.2. A verb and a noun;silver-plate,house-break.3. A verb and an adjective;cold-press,fine-still.4. A verb and an adverb;cross-examine.
1. Two verbs;balance-reef.
2. A verb and a noun;silver-plate,house-break.
3. A verb and an adjective;cold-press,fine-still.
4. A verb and an adverb;cross-examine.
Several combinations are used with the force of adverbs.
1. Two adverbs;upright,henceforth.2. A noun and an adverb;brain-sickly.3. An adjective and an adverb (or compound adjective with suffix, simulating an adverb);stout-heartedly,ill-naturedly.4. An adjective and a verb;broadcast.5. Two nouns;piecemeal,half-mast.6. A noun and an adjective;cost-free,pointblank.7. A noun and a preposition;down-stairs,above-board,offhand.
1. Two adverbs;upright,henceforth.
2. A noun and an adverb;brain-sickly.
3. An adjective and an adverb (or compound adjective with suffix, simulating an adverb);stout-heartedly,ill-naturedly.
4. An adjective and a verb;broadcast.
5. Two nouns;piecemeal,half-mast.
6. A noun and an adjective;cost-free,pointblank.
7. A noun and a preposition;down-stairs,above-board,offhand.
1. Hyphenate nouns formed by the combination of two nouns standing in objective relation to each other, that is, one of whose components is derived from a transitive verb:
When such compounds are in very common use, and especially when they have a specific or technical meaning, they are printed solid;
2. Hyphenate a combination of a present participle with a noun when the meaning of the combination is different from that of the two words taken separately;boarding-house,sleeping-car,walking-stick.
3. Hyphenate a combination of a present participle with a preposition used absolutely (not governing the following noun);the putting-in or taking-out of a hyphen.
4. As a rule compounds ofbook,house,will,room,shop, andworkshould be printed solid when the prefixed noun has one syllable; should be hyphenated when it contains two; should be printed in two separate words when it contains three or more;
handbook,notebook,story-book,pocket-book,reference book.clubhouse,storehouse,engine-house,power-house,business-house.handmill,sawmill,water-mill,paper-mill,chocolate mill.classroom,lecture-room,recitation room.tinshop,tailor-shop,carpenter shop.woodwork,metal-work,filigree work.
handbook,notebook,story-book,pocket-book,reference book.
clubhouse,storehouse,engine-house,power-house,business-house.
handmill,sawmill,water-mill,paper-mill,chocolate mill.
classroom,lecture-room,recitation room.
tinshop,tailor-shop,carpenter shop.
woodwork,metal-work,filigree work.
Unusual combinations such assource-bookandwheat-millare sometimes hyphenated, and the hyphen is sometimes omitted for the sake of the appearance as inschool work.
5. Compounds ofmaker,dealer, and other words denoting occupation are generally hyphenated;harness-maker,job-printer.
The tendency is to print these words solid when they come into very common use;dressmaker.
6. Hyphenate nouns when combined in an adjectival sense before the name of the same person;the martyr-president Lincoln,the poet-artist Rosetti.
7. Compounds ofstoreare generally hyphenated when the prefix contains one syllable, otherwise not;drug-store,fruit-store(butbookstore),provision store.
8. Compounds offelloware hyphenated;fellow-being,play-fellow, butbedfellow.
9. Compounds offather,mother,brother,sister,daughter,parent, andfostershould be hyphenated when the word in question forms the first part of the compound;father-love,mother-country,brother-officer,sister-state,daughter-cell,parent-word,foster-brother, but (by exception)fatherland.
10. Hyphenate compounds ofgreatin phrases indicating degrees of descent;great-grandmother,great-great-grandfather.
11. Hyphenate compounds oflifeandworld;life-history,world-influence, but (by exception)lifetime.
12. Compounds ofskinwith words of one syllable are printed solid, otherwise as two separate words;calfskin,sheepskin,alligator skin.
13. Hyphenate compounds ofmaster;master-builder,master-stroke, but (by exception)masterpiece.
14. Hyphenate compounds ofgodwhen this word forms the second element;sun-god,war-god,godsend,godson.
15. Hyphenate compounds ofhalfandquarter;half-truth,quarter-circle,half-title, but on account of difference in meaning ofquarter,quartermaster,headquarters.
16. These prefixes
are ordinarily joined to the word with which they are used without a hyphen, except when followed by the same letter as that with which they terminate or bywory;
Exceptions are
(a) Combinations with proper names or adjectives derived therefrom, and long or unusual compounds;
(b) Words in which the omission of the hyphen would alter the sense;
17. The negative prefixesun,in,il,im, andado not take a hyphen except in very rare or artificial combinations;unmanly,invisible,illimitable,impenetrable,asymmetrical.
The negative prefixnoncalls for a hyphen except in very common words;
18. The prefixesquasi,extra,supra,ultra, andpancall for a hyphen;
Ultramontaine, probably because a specific party designation, is always printed solid.
19.Overandunderdo not ordinarily call for a hyphen;overemphasize,underfed, butover-careful,over-spiritualistic.
20. Combinations havingselfandbyas the first element of the compound call for a hyphen;self-evident,self-respecting,by-law,by-product, butselfhood,selfish, andselfsame.
21. Combinations offoldare printed as one word if the number contains only one syllable but as two if it contains more than one;
22. Adjectives formed by a noun precedinglikedo not take a hyphen if the noun is a monosyllable, except when ending inlor a proper noun; if the noun contains more than one syllable a hyphen should be used;childlike,warlike,catlike,bell-like,Napoleon-like, but (by exception)Christlike.
23.Vice,elect,ex,general, andlieutenantas parts of titles are connected with the chief noun by a hyphen;vice-consul,ex-president,governor-elect,postmaster-general,lieutenant-colonel.
24.Today,tonight, andtomorroware printed without a hyphen.
25. In fractional numbers spelled out connect the numerator and denominator by a hyphen. “The day is three-quarters gone,”four and five-eighths,thirty-hundredths,ninety-two thousandths.
Do not use the hyphen in an instance as “One half the business is owned by Mr. Jones, one quarter by Mr. Smith, and one eighth each by Mr. Browne and Mr. Robinson.”
26. Where two or more compound words occur together having one of their components in common, this component is often omitted from all but the last word and the omission indicated by a hyphen;
French-and Spanish-speaking countries,wood-iron-and steel-work,one-two-three-four and five-cent stamps.This usage is objected to in some offices as being a Germanized form. It is however, less ambiguous than where the hyphen is omitted and is therefore preferable.
French-and Spanish-speaking countries,wood-iron-and steel-work,one-two-three-four and five-cent stamps.
This usage is objected to in some offices as being a Germanized form. It is however, less ambiguous than where the hyphen is omitted and is therefore preferable.
27. Ordinal numbers compounded with nouns take the hyphen in such expressions assecond-hand,first-rate, and the like.
28. Numerals of one syllable take a hyphen in compounds with self-explanatory words such asfour-footed,one-eyed, and the like.
29. Numerals compounded with nouns to form an adjective take the hyphen;twelve-inch rule,three-horse team,six-point lead.
30. The hyphen is used in compounding a noun in the possessive case with another noun;jew’s-harp,crow’s-nest.
31. The hyphen is used with most compounds oftree;apple-tree,quince-tree, but not when a particular object, not a tree (vegetable), is meant;whippletree,crosstree.
32. Use the hyphen in compounding two adjectives generally, especially personal epithets;asked-for opinion,sea-island cotton,dry-plate process,hard-headed,strong-armed,broad-shouldered.
33. The hyphen is not used in points of the compass unless doubly compounded;northeast,southwest,north-northeast,south-southwest by south.
34. Compounds ending withmanorwomanare run solid;pressman,forewoman.
35. Omit the hyphen in such phrases asby and by,by the bye,good morning(except when used adjectively,a good-morning greeting,)attorney at law,coat of arms.
36. Compounds ending inholderandmongerare run solid;bondholder,cheesemonger.
37. Compounds beginning witheyeare run solid;eyeglass,eyewitness.
38. Compounds unless very unusual, beginning withdeutero,electro,pseudo,sulpho,thermo, etc., are run solid;electrotype,pseudonym,thermostat.
39. Do not separate
In phrases likein the meantimeandforever and everthe words are printed separately.
Any oneandsome oneare separate words.
40. In compounds of color the hyphen is not used except when a noun is used with an adjective to specify color;reddish-brown,gray-white,lemon-yellow,olive-green,silver-gray.
41. Following is a list of words of everyday occurrence which should be hyphenated, and which do not fall under any of the above classifications.
These rules are the consensus of opinion of a considerable number of good authorities from DeVinne (1901) to Manly and Powell (1913). The great practical difficulty is that authorities differ as to their application. DeVinne uses the dieresis instead of the hyphen in such cases asco-operateorpre-eminent, writingcoöperate,preëminent. Many of the rules have exceptions and authorities differ as to the extent of the exceptions. There are many differences in the great number of unclassified compounds. For example, Manly and Powell writecoat-of-arms, while Orcutt writescoat of arms. Common usage omits the hyphen from post office except when used as an adjective, e. g.,post-office accounts.
A strict adherence to the rules given would probably result, not in bad composition, but in a much greater use of hyphens than would be found on the pages of many recent books from the presses of some of the best publishers. This is due partly to the fact that usage has never been strictly uniform and partly to the constant progressive change noted at the beginning of this study. We are gradually discontinuing the use of the hyphen just as we are diminishing our use of capital letters, punctuation marks, and italics.
The compositor should ground himself thoroughly in the principles and rules. He should learn the best usage with regard to special words and phrases. He should master the office style. He should follow copy if the author has distinct and definite ideas which are not absolutely wrong and would not introduce inconsistencies in magazines and the like by violating the office style which is followed in other parts of the same publication. If it is clear that the author knows what he wants, the compositor should follow copy. Questions of correctness and conformity to style belong not to him but to the copy editor and proofreader.
English Compound Words and Phrases. By Francis Horace Teall. Funk & Wagnalls, New York.
The Compounding of English Words, When and Why Joining or Separation is Preferable. By Francis Horace Teall. J. Ireland, New York.
Correct Composition. By Theodore L. De Vinne. The Oswald Publishing Co., New York.
A Manual for Writers. By John Matthews Manly and John Arthur Powell. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
The Writer’s Desk Book. By William Dana Orcutt. Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York.
1. What is meant by a “compound”?
2. What is the purpose of a compound?
3. In what three forms do compounds appear?
4. Where should we expect to find guidance in the choice of these forms?
5. Do we so find it, and why?
6. What tendency is observable in usage regarding compounds?
7. What can the printer do?
8. Give Teall’s rules, and show the application of each.
9. What is the influence of accent in compounding?
10. What is the rule about two nouns used together to form a name?
11. What is the rule about names composed of a plain noun and a verbal noun?
12. How are possessive phrases used as specific names treated?
13. What is the rule about phrases used as specific names?
14. How do you write a pair of words used as a name when the second word is a noun and the first not really an adjective?
15. How do you treat two words, not nouns, arbitrarily used as a name?
16. How do you treat a compound consisting of a suffix and a compound proper name?
17. How do you treat words so associated that their joint sense is different from their separate sense?
18. How may compounds having the force of nouns be made up?
19. How may compounds having the force of adjectives be made up?
20. How may compounds having the force of verbs be made up?
21. How may compounds having the force of adverbs be made up?
22. How are compound nouns written when one of the components is derived from a transitive verb?
23. How is a compound of a present participle and a noun written?
24. How is a compound of a present participle and a preposition treated?
25. What is the usage in compounds ofbook,house,will,room,shop, andwork?
26. How are compounds ofmakeranddealerwritten?
27. What is done when nouns are combined in a descriptive phrase before a name of a person?
28. How are compounds ofstoretreated?
29. How are compounds offellowtreated?
30. How are compounds offather,mother,brother,sister,daughter,parent, andfostertreated?
31. What compounds ofgreatare hyphenated?
32. How are compounds oflifeandworldtreated?
33. What is the rule about compounds ofskin?
34. How are compounds ofmastertreated?
35. What is the rule about compounds ofgod?
36. Give fifteen common prefixes and tell how they are used, stating exceptions.
37. What are the negative prefixes and how are they used?
38. What is the rule about the prefixesquasi,extra,supra,ultra, andpan?
39. What is the rule aboutoverandunder?
40. What is the rule about compounds ofselfandby?
41. How are compounds offoldtreated?
42. What is the rule about compounds of a noun followed bylike?
43. How are titles treated when compounded withvice,elect,ex,general, andlieutenant?
44. How do you write three familiar compounds denoting time?
45. How should you treat fractional numbers spelled out?
46. What is done when two or more compound words with a common component occur in succession?
47. How do you write compounds of ordinal numbers and nouns?
48. What rule is given about numerals of one syllable?
49. What rule is given about numerals compounded with nouns?
50. How do you treat a compound of two nouns one in the possessive case?
51. How are compounds oftreetreated?
52. What is the rule about compounds of two adjectives?
53. What is the rule about points of the compass?
54. What should you do with compounds ending inmanorwoman?
55. Give certain common typical phrases which omit the hyphen.
56. How do you treat compounds ending inholderandmonger?
57. How do you treat compounds beginning witheye?
58. What is said of compounds beginning withdeutero,electro,pseudo,sulpho,thermo, and the like?
59. Give some common compounds which are always run solid.
60. How are compounds of color treated?
61. Are these rules universally followed?
62. What is the duty of the compositor in these cases, especially when doubtful?
In this volume, as in so many in this section, much depends upon practice drills. The memorizing of rules is difficult and is of very little use unless accompanied by a great deal of practice so that the apprentice will become so thoroughly familiar with them that he will apply them at once without conscious thought. He should no more think of the rule when he writesfellow-man, than he thinks of the multiplication table when he says seven times eight are fifty-six. This drill may be given in several ways, by asking the student to explain the use or omission of hyphens in printed matter, by giving written matter purposely incorrect in parts and asking him to set it correctly, or by giving dictations and having the apprentice write out the matter and then set it up. Later, when it will not be too wasteful of time, the apprentice can be given the ordinary run of copy as customers send it in and told to set it in correct form. He will probably find enough errors in it to test his knowledge of compounding and of many other things.
Thefollowing list of publications, comprising theTypographic Technical Series for Apprentices, has been prepared under the supervision of the Committee on Education of the United Typothetae of America for use in trade classes, in course of printing instruction, and by individuals.
Each publication has been compiled by a competent author or group of authors, and carefully edited, the purpose being to provide the printers of the United States—employers, journeymen, and apprentices—with a comprehensive series of handy and inexpensive compendiums of reliable, up-to-date information upon the various branches and specialties of the printing craft, all arranged in orderly fashion for progressive study.
The publications of the series are of uniform size, 5 x 8 inches. Their general make-up, in typography, illustrations, etc., has been, as far as practicable, kept in harmony throughout. A brief synopsis of the particular contents and other chief features of each volume will be found under each title in the following list.
Each topic is treated in a concise manner, the aim being to embody in each publication as completely as possible all the rudimentary information and essential facts necessary to an understanding of the subject. Care has been taken to make all statements accurate and clear, with the purpose of bringing essential information within the understanding of beginners in the different fields of study. Wherever practicable, simple and well-defined drawings and illustrations have been used to assist in giving additional clearness to the text.
In order that the pamphlets may be of the greatest possible help for use in trade-school classes and for self-instruction, each title is accompanied by a list of Review Questions covering essential items of the subject matter. A short Glossary of technical terms belonging to the subject or department treated is also added to many of the books.
These are the Official Text-books of the United Typothetae of America.
Address all orders and inquiries toCommittee on Education, United Typothetae of America, Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A.
PART I—Types, Tools, Machines, and Materials