21 September 2007

The Hyphen RIP

The demise is being reported of one of the most useful elements of punctuation -- by which I mean, of course, the hyphen (known in journalistic circles as the en-dash).

I do not, however, buy the explanations offered in the article; rather, I would like to blame sloppiness and sloth -- two elements of modern culture that are damaging far more than literature, grammar and punctuation.

Is it the modern way to be sloppy? To write poorly? Apparently. Just as it is the modern way to refuse to learn proper grammar, how to punctuate properly, even -- dare I say it? -- proper manners.

Well, decide for yourself. The article is here.

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