HYPHENATING

[Marla Sharp]

Post your questions on whether to hyphenate here. I know we should always check the dictionary first, but the dictionary doesn't have all combinations of compound words and crazy things like that.

[Marla Sharp]

Would you hyphenate "over the moon type of feeling"? Or would you put quotes around "over the moon" and not hyphenate it?

[Brenda Rogers]

I'd hyphenate over-the-moon type of feeling, but that's probably more because I hyphenate rather than quote. Quotes would work since it is a common phrase, but I'd add hyphens while I was writing and not go back and edit it.

Great idea, Marla!

[Jennie Ann]

I agree with Brenda. I like over-the-moon type of feeling.

[Stacy Tegner]

Love this idea, Marla. I have a question too. How about Bates-stamped ~ do you guys hyphenate that or not? I've had differing opinions w/ proofreaders and still don't have a clear answer.

[Marla Sharp]

Yes, it should be hyphenated. The normal phrasing should be "stamped with a Bates stamp," but that's too wordy. Bates is the brand name of the stamp. You probably already knew that. Anyway, it's a compound word created for the occasion, so to speak. Here's a site that talks about compounds. It seems to refer to the Chicago Manual of Style, which is my preferred reference book.
http://www.docstyles.com/cmscrib.htm

[Stacy Tegner]

Thank you!!

[Marla Sharp]

CAD software. Would you hyphenate it like this: computer-aided-design software or computer-aided design software? I think the latter. I think "computer-aided" is modifying "design software."

[Brenda Rogers]

Well, how do we do CAT? Computer-aided-transcription software or computer-aided transcription software? I think there could be an argument for both. The three words DO modify software. The first two DO modify design or transcription software.

I say choose your poison. :)

[Shelly Scott]

With your reasoning, I agree that it [i]should[/i] be capitalized, but when it's an acronym, it somehow doesn't look right to me.

[Rhoda Collins]

Could you re-ask the question?

Is that right? Just looks really odd, lol!

[Brenda Rogers]

Yes. Reask looks even odder! Looks like it should be pronounced reesk. So that one is hyphenated.

[Rhoda Collins]

Thanks, Brenda! Reask is actually a 'place' if you google it, lol.