CMOS burn!

OMG, you guys. Check out this total burn by the CMOS:

etc. This is the abbreviated form of et cetera ("and other things"); it should never be used in reference to people. Etc. implies that a list of things is too extensive to recite (and indeed it should be used only after at least two items, never just one). But often writers seem to run out of thoughts and tack on etc. for no real purpose.

Yeah, writers. You just got burned by the Chicago Manual of Style.

Title case

Here's an interesting note for you, courtesy of the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (8.157-59):

For titles capitalized headline-style, Chicago no longer recommends making exceptions for short or unstressed words or to avoid the occasional awkward appearance. 

In other words, no more worrying about which words to capitalize in a title. Just go nuts and capitalize them all.

You're welcome.

Archaic spellings

I was working on a project this morning and turned to my trusty Chicago Manual of Style for some reason that I can't remember now. It's not important. As I was looking for whatever it was, I came across some very interesting information about the internet. Here's a quick rundown:

"Website" is actually two words and is always capitalized:
I went to the Atlanta Braves Web site to see how Tommy Hanson pitched yesterday.


"Internet," "web," and "net" are always capitalized:
I remember when we first got the Internet. 
I'm going to search the Web for information about Luke Scott.
Nobody uses the phrase "surf the Net" anymore.


"Email" is hyphenated:
Sending threatening e-mails is much easier than making threatening phone calls.


I love The Chicago Manual of Style. It's my bible. But seriously, WTF, guys? Let's try to keep up with technology just a tiny bit. There's absolutely no reason "Web site" should be capitalized and two separate words. It's "website." Everyone writes it that way. You're just being difficult grammar snobs.