Compound Words Part 3

23. _Vice_, _elect_, _ex_, _general_, and _lieutenant_ as parts of t.i.tles are connected with the chief noun by a hyphen; _vice-consul_, _ex-president_, _governor-elect_, _postmaster-general_, _lieutenant-colonel_.

24. _Today_, _tonight_, and _tomorrow_ are 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.

27. Ordinal numbers compounded with nouns take the hyphen in such expressions as _second-hand_, _first-rate_, and the like.

28. Numerals of one syllable take a hyphen in compounds with self-explanatory words such as _four-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 of _tree_; _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 compa.s.s unless doubly compounded; _northeast_, _southwest_, _north-northeast_, _south-southwest by south_.

34. Compounds ending with _man_ or _woman_ are run solid; _pressman_, _forewoman_.

35. Omit the hyphen in such phrases as _by and by_, _by the bye_, _good morning_ (except when used adjectively, _a good-morning greeting_,) _attorney at law_, _coat of arms_.

36. Compounds ending in _holder_ and _monger_ are run solid; _bondholder_, _cheesemonger_.

37. Compounds beginning with _eye_ are run solid; _eyegla.s.s_, _eyewitness_.

38. Compounds unless very unusual, beginning with _deutero_, _electro_, _pseudo_, _sulpho_, _thermo_, etc., are run solid; _electrotype_, _pseudonym_, _thermostat_.

39. Do not separate

_meanwhile_ _anywhere_ _somebody_ _meantime_ _anybody_ _somehow_ _moreover_ _anyhow_ _something_ _forever_ _anything_ _sometime_ _everywhere_ _anyway_ _somewhat_ _somewhere_

In phrases like _in the meantime_ and _forever and ever_ the words are printed separately.

_Any one_ and _some one_ are 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 cla.s.sifications.

_after-years_ _food-stuff_ _sea-level_ _bas-relief_ _guinea-pig_ _sense-perception_ _birth-rate_ _horse-power_ _son-in-law_ _blood-relations_ _loan-word_ _subject-matter_ _common-sense_ _man-of-war_ _thought-process_ _cross-examine_ _object-lesson_ _t.i.tle-page_ _cross-reference_ _page-proof_ _wave-length_ _cross-section_ _pay-roll_ _well-being_ _death-rate_ _poor-law_ _well-nigh_ _folk-song_ _post-office_ _will-power_ _fountain-head_

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 as _co-operate_ or _pre-eminent_, writing _cooperate_, _preeminent_. 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 uncla.s.sified compounds. For example, Manly and Powell write _coat-of-arms_, while Orcutt writes _coat 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

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.

QUESTIONS

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?