Associated Press editors Darrell Christian and David Minthorn share some laughs during a Q&A about the AP's stylebook on Friday.
David Minthorn and Darrell Christian, editors of the AP Stylebook, brought with them to ACES 2011 in Phoenix some of the changes that will be effective as of 3 a.m. EDT Saturday, March 19.
They are:
• email, instead of e-mail. (Other “e” terms, such as e-book and e-commerce, retain the hyphen,)
• Kolkata, India, instead of Calcutta, India. To follow local style.
• cellphone, smartphone become one word. (No longer cell phone and smart phone.)
• handheld, n., hand-held, adj.
Those who attended ACES 2010 in Philadelphia will remember that the AP Stylebook editors announced the switch from “web site” to “website” at that time. Perhaps they’ll be making change announcements at all future ACES national conferences — it’s a great place to do it.
By the way, the editors say the spiral bound version of the newest AP Stylebook will be available sometime in May.
9 comments
Jackie says:
Mar 18, 2011
Will there be an online version as well?
Steve says:
Mar 18, 2011
Marketing tool to sell more books.
Andy Bechtel says:
Mar 18, 2011
Yes, Jackie, the AP will continue to offer an online stylebook and update it throughout the year.
Deb says:
Mar 18, 2011
When will Microsoft spellcheck be updated?
John Paul says:
Mar 18, 2011
Hang on, I’m making a uturn while pulling on a tshirt.
Robbie says:
Mar 19, 2011
Does your post foreshadow that the next change will be “it’s” for the possessive? AP Stylebook — planned obsolescence at its finest.
Orson Buggeigh says:
Mar 19, 2011
Ahh, emus the world over will once again feel welcome.
danny bee says:
Mar 19, 2011
when will ap lowerase internet as “internet”? we don’t call Radio or Television and Movies like that anymore do we?
Patrick says:
Mar 21, 2011
My thoughts on the changes: Email looks less professional, cellphone doesn’t make sense because cell phone is short for cellular phone (two words), but smartphone is one I can stand behind.