Re: Are these words being used?

Subject: Re: Are these words being used?
From: "Kathi Jan Knill" <Kathi -dot- Knill -at- template -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <TECHWR-L -at- LISTS -dot- RAYCOMM -dot- COM>, "George F. Hayhoe" <george -at- ghayhoe -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 10:37:12 -0500

:
: With respect, Julia, if a word is used, it exists, whether
: it appears in the Oxford Dictionary or any other dictionary.
: Speakers of English and all other languages are remarkably
: innovative and coin new words every day to meet their needs.
: :
Be that as it may George, it does not mean that shipability and
orderability should be used. Just because people coin new words to meet
their needs, doesn't mean that anyone could make up any word and say that
it is a "proper" word. Although I understand fully that language is
constantly evolving (I remember when prioritize was not in the dictionary
and the correct usage was "set priorities" ), I don't believe that these
two words are going to make it into the books. What is the matter with
"capable of being shipped" or "we can ship it" or the like? And, as someone
else pointed out, what is the definition of orderability -- able to be put
in the correct order????

So, I vote "No" do not use the words and explain the SME why you feel it
would be better to phrase them differently. (You are the writer afterall!)

just my $.02
Kathi Jan Knill
Senior Technical Writer
Template Software
Kathi -dot- Knill -at- Template -dot- com
"Your mind can only hold one thought at a time. Make it a positive and
constructive one." --H. Jackson Brown, Jr.






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