Proofreaders’ Worst Word?
There are plenty of evil words out there designed to trip us up when we learn to proofread or copy-edit. We have to develop an unashamed dictionary habit if we are going to succeed. Our pride in our ability to spell has to be buried deep. It’s not a game or a test; all that matters is certainty and getting it right.
There are many candidates for worst word and, of course, there isn’t one; your easy word may be the one I look up every time. Some words, no matter how long we have been proofreading and copy-editing, just never stick. And spellings change over our lifetimes. When I was younger focused had one s; now you may choose to spell it with two. So you will go with the author’s choice, not your own. There are many examples like this and you have to know them or look them up.
The Word
Well, today I’m focusing on an old favourite. If you really know how to spell it, it’s simple. If not…
Now, without checking, which of the following is correct?
DESSICATE
DESSICCATE
DESICCATE
DESCICATE
DESICATE
DESECATE
DESSECATE
DESECCATE
DESCECATE
DESSECCATE
It means to dry out. Coconut springs to mind!
When you have made your choice, please look it up.
You were right? Congratulations! Unless it was a pure guess, of course; in which case, pity it wasn’t a horse.
Wrong? Never mind. Most people are. What matters is having the common sense to look words up. It’s one of the most important lessons in learning to proofread and copy-edit.