In this month’s edition of Editor’s Note, let’s explore what it means for a style guide to have a preferred dictionary, and how to use it.
You’re probably aware that there are countless varieties of dictionaries—not just from different brands, but also for different audiences. The content, scope, and purpose of the UK-based Oxford English Dictionary is going to be quite different from that of the Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary, which is altogether different from the Dictionary of American Regional English, to name just a few examples.
Virtually every style guide names a preferred dictionary as a resource for information that isn’t included in the style guide. The University Style Guide is no different. We follow the Chicago Manual of Style in using Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as our go-to resource for any topics not covered in either the University or Chicago style guides. Conveniently, this dictionary is freely available online at m-w.com.
Generally, the most common reason to consult the dictionary after using the style guides is to find the “right” spelling for a word.
This is where I could talk all day about prescriptivism, descriptivism, and the actual purpose of dictionaries and lexicographers, but I will save that for another time! This is a quick upshot: Although dictionaries are commonly thought of as being the authority on how a word or phrase should be spelled or used, the fact is that they are just reflections on how that word is actually being used out in the world. This is why print dictionaries go through several editions—language is constantly changing. And this is one of the major benefits of being able to use an online dictionary such as Merriam-Webster, which is regularly updated much more often than a print volume could be.
For that reason, dictionaries will often list two spelling variants for any word that isn’t settled. For example: mosquitos vs. mosquitoes. Let’s say you’re writing a story about these insects and you’re not sure which is the right spelling to use. It’s not in the University Style Guide, and Chicago doesn’t give a preference. So, the thing to do is to look it up in Merriam-Webster.
If you’re consulting M-W to find a word’s spelling and you see two options, you’ll want to go with the first one (highlighted in yellow in the image above). Dictionaries almost always list the more popular/conventional spelling of a word first. And, by following this rule, the spelling of these words will stay consistent throughout University writing.
A scheduling note
Editor’s Note will be taking a break until January. Past versions are always available on the NDWorks website.
Merry Christmas!
Pop quiz
Following University style, how should book titles be formatted?
Click on your answer to submit your response. If you have the correct response, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free treat!
A note about the pop quiz
Please feel free to think of these monthly quizzes as open-book! I don’t expect you to know the answer off the top of your head. I designed these quizzes, in fact, to get readers more comfortable using the University Style Guide to find the answer. You are encouraged to consult that before submitting your answer.
October pop quiz winner
Congrats to Tara Gilchrist, talent sourcing consultant in the Office of Human Resources, the winner of the October pop quiz!
What’s the University’s preferred style for this term? Catholic social teaching
The correct answer is Catholic social teaching, with only the first word capitalized. This follows how both the Vatican and USCCB, among other organizations, style it.
What we’re reading
These are stories that we found to be interesting, fun, or thought-provoking. The views are not necessarily endorsed. Want to share a story you found? Feel free to send it to me.
It’s time to retire the term AAPI
The Berkeley Beacon
Notre Dame workshop explores the connection between names and identity
Notre Dame International
Do you talk more like a millennial or a boomer at work? Take this quiz to find out.
The Washington Post