Ever wondered about the origin of the phrase the bee's knees? Probably not. But somebody has, and at AskOxford.com an editor stands by with an explanation.
AskOxford.com is just one of the sites we regularly visit for answers to questions about English--indeed, about some of the finest and fussiest aspects of the language. Is speechwriter one word or two? Which is correct: Web Site, Web site, Website or website? Why is the letter f used instead of s in old spellings?
For answers to these and many other questions, visit these three Q&A sites--all of them hosted by publishers of major style and usage guides.
1. Ask the Editor at APStylebook.com
When David Minthorn explains the difference between pixelated (a "non-word" in his judgment) and pixilated, we take him seriously. Mr. David Minthorn is also the editor of The AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. The Associated Press, by the way, spells speechwriter as one word, Web site as two.
2. Ask the Experts at AskOxford.com
Though this Oxford University Press site promises to answer "fairly broad" questions "on grammar, usage, or words," you will find some pretty esoteric information here: the longest English word (floccinaucinihilipilification), the plural of octopus (octopodes), and the explanation for that old-fashioned f in place of s: "In genuine old-style printing, it is not the letter f, but a long form of the letter s (derived from handwriting styles), which looks very similar to f but does not have a complete cross-bar. . . . It fell out of fashion with printers rather suddenly in about 1780."3. Questions and Answers at the Chicago Manual of Style Online
Updated monthly, the Chicago site is pickier than the others, giving "preference to questions that are not answered here or in the Manual, and that cannot be answered with a dictionary." The editor can be delightfully huffy:Q. Is it “cell phone” or “cel phone”? I am working on a crash deadline, and would appreciate a quick response. Thank you so much!
A. Any writer who has deadlines should also have a dictionary. I always swear I’m not going to look up words for people, but it’s like being a mom and picking up socks—something just makes me do it. It’s “cell phone.” Please buy a dictionary--and pick up your socks.
