October 16^th, 2007

Actual* dialogue overheard in the technical writing department where I work:

Bob: "Do we hyphenate 'blood-spatter'?"

Mary: "Do you mean it as a noun phrase, such as 'body parts'?"

Bob: "No, as an adjectival modifier, like 'gore-encrusted'."

Mary: "Hmm ... what is the whole sentence?"

Bob: "It says, 'Don't forget to back up your data, otherwise, the blood-spatter marks from your rage-fueled murder spree when your hard drive fails will be difficult to clean off of the walls and ceiling.'"

Mary: "Yes, hyphenate 'blood-spatter'."

Ted: "And make sure 'back up' is two words."

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*Not really.

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