AP Stylebook: "More than" and "over" now mean the same thing

First underway, then this.

 

If we don't have arbitrary style rules that try to impose nuances of meaning that no reader actually uses, how will generations of hacky, ill-read editors convince themselves they know what they are doing?

 

If you've ever written anything for publication, Rick, hacky and ill-read editors probably have saved your ass a time or two.

 

And introduced more than their share of errors.

Memorizing style rules never made anyone a good editor, but it convinced a lot of bad editors they didn't need to get any better.

 

That's way too easy to say, Rick. What's next ... a sweeping generalization about Jewish mores?

 

It's easy to say because it's true.

 

I'm not even a copy editor, and that's chickenshit.

 

I spent as much time as a copy editor as I did a reporter (and yes, it's more than zero in both cases). And early in my career, it definitely applied to me.

 

Do you even know what "hacky" and "ill-read" mean?

 

Moremorethan, Jews are pretty awesome.

 

Why the vitriol, Creosote? I didn't say anything to rattle your cage. Yes, I know what "hacky" and "ill-read" mean.

Just announce you're going to be a douche today so you aren't engaged. Because you're not always one.

 

No vitriol here whatsoever.

Surely, you've met hacks who thought they were way more important or way better than they actually are. They only exist everywhere, in every walk of life.

That's what Rick was saying. And, he's saying a stylebook filled with arbitrary or just plain stupid style rules is enabling them in the field of copy editing.

It was not a sweeping generalization comparable to ethnic stereotypes in any way, shape or form.