Maria from IN Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I saw a headline on my local news station that read "Swearing in Ceremony in Sullivan." Of course, the first thing that came to mind is, "those vulgar so-and-so's! It's a ceremony, for Pete's sake!" Actually, it was reporting a swearing-in ceremony for judges in the area. I had always seen, when people are being sworn in to an office, a hyphen in between the words--lest one think all these officials are pottymouths. But after doing a search, I have noticed that both versions are used. Which is correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beansprouts Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 (edited) I think it is rude, but I am not sure it is newsworthy :lol: The word needs a hyphen. ETA: Here you go! Edited January 1, 2009 by beansprouts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I think it needs a hyphen too. As you noticed, the meaning isn't clear without it (I'd argue the meaning actually changes.). You need it to join 2 or more adjectives that are describing a noun. (You wouldn't call this a swearing ceremony or an in ceremony--so you need the hyphen). I swear! Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Mom Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Unless there was alot of cussing going on, it needs a hyphen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 it would be to hyphenate (the act of actually installing the hyphen). :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 it would be to hyphenate (the act of actually installing the hyphen). :tongue_smilie: Just one more reason why I love this board. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 it would be to hyphenate (the act of actually installing the hyphen). :tongue_smilie: Or would you *insert* a hyphen??:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Funny, but recently my father, wife and I gathered around while I read from the late great H.W. Fowler's Modern English Usage entry on the proper (in his highly opinionated mind) use of the hyphen. I found it incredibly amusing. But it did set off a family dispute as my wife (the American Lit./English major) and my father are both of the hyphenate only when necessary school of thought, and I'm of the hyphenate-whenever-possible bent. If you've never read Modern English Usage I can recommend it as either one of the most boring books ever written, or an absolute joy! Needless-to-say I'd go for swearing-in, but I'm a crusty old pendant :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 and I'm of the hyphenate-whenever-possible bent. ooh! a hyper-hyphenator! :D I agree that a hyphen is in order. i also hyphenate 'homeschool co-op' so i don't read it as a homeschool chicken coop ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 ooh! a hyper-hyphenator! :D I agree that a hyphen is in order. i also hyphenate 'homeschool co-op' so i don't read it as a homeschool chicken coop ;) I love that The New Yorker (that national treasure of a magazine :D) uses an umlaut when spelling words such as coöperate and coöp. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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