On Words: Writing Tips

Writing Tip 389: “Line up” vs. “Lineup” vs. “Line-up”

Should I say, “how do you like them apples” in this lineup?

Think fast, should it be one or two words? Or should it be hyphenated?

“Line up” or “lineup” or “line-up”? It’s one of those language questions that can have you staring at the blinking cursor on your screen. Hopefully, this quandary isn’t one that crosses the line of something that has you blinking and cursing at your screen.

But when I ask, “which version is correct,” it’s admittedly a bit of a trick question. It can be one word or two, depending on your goals with it.

Mother earth. Mother ships. Mother of all spelling confusions.

Okay, maybe, it’s not the biggest of errors, but do you know whether to write “mother load” vs. “mother lode”?

I get the confusion. It’s not just a lot. It’s a massive amount. It’s the mother of all quantities. A “load” makes sense. But the problem is that this is not the spelling of this phrase.

Ooh, I feel you cringing, but it’s true.

“Among” vs. “Amongst” — Amongst all of these berries, which is the most delicious? I don’t know if it’s possible to answer that question, but it isn’t because of the preposition.

Sometimes, one word just feels better than another. It’s your gut speaking to you—and maybe there is logic connected to that instinct, but maybe not. It’s your gut, not your brain after all. So many of our language choices come this way. You don’t have to know English language grammar jargon to communicate well. (You know I’m a believer in that.) But then comes that curious moment when your brain interrupts your gut with a simple question: Why?

Why is that one word correct? Why does that one choice fit better in a certain situation?

There are many great language reference guides you can turn to when your gut and your brain clash in this moment of curiosity, but that “why” question struck me again recently. And I didn’t know the answer. So, I had to find out…

“Troubleshooted” vs. “Troubleshot” — Is this a “trouble-shot”? Depends on what’s hit, I suppose.

Does “troubleshot” make you think of that photo bomb that wasn’t your wisest decision? Is it a penalty kick in a tied game? Does it make you think of that last two ounces of tequila that you just shouldn’t have agreed to?

I’m okay with these definitions. I think they are all “trouble-shots” in their own way. But you know how you also need to think of “troubleshot”? It’s the past tense of “troubleshoot.”

Yep, it’s true.

“flow” vs. “floe” — Sure, your eye might land on the iceberg, but do you see all of those flat, floating sheets of ice? That’s what we’re talking about here.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to go with the flow, unless you’re riding along on an iceberg. Then, perhaps, it’s time to reconsider—your spelling among other things.

Actually, an “iceberg” is a bit misleading. When we’re talking about an “ice floe,” we’re not talking about giant mountains of ice.

“Brass Tacks” or “Brass Tax” hint — Is the expression, getting down to “brass tacks” or “brass tax”? Is this the hint you need? Maybe. Maybe not.

Here’s that moment when you pause and think: pennies are made of copper; nickels are made of nickel. Is there a coin made of brass? Or is there some brass purchasing tax we just aren’t aware of?

Or was it something of a different era? Did Robin Hood steal money from the rich and give to the poor all because of that brass tax? Or does this have to do with a tea party in Boston? No brass taxation without representation? No, that’s not right.

There are so many stories I could imagine here—though, okay, fine, I’ll stop now—but it’s time to get down to the truth of this:

“Years of Experience” & “Years’ Experience” - clocks — Time flies when you’re having fun. Maybe it’s true if you love your job. Maybe, it’s time to rewrite your resume. Here’s a hint that might just help your cause.

Resume writers can be baffled about where to put the apostrophe (or not) when writing about the experience of their years. Is there an apostrophe? Is there none?

Let’s settle this once and for all. Yes. And yes. How easy is that? Wait … let’s break this down.

“Frayed Nerves” or “Fried Nerves”? — This rope isn’t fried. It’s frayed. Here’s hoping you’re not feeling either.

Your mind might feel fried, but what about your nerves? Are they fried too? Or are they something else?

This is an expression that goes back a couple centuries, but sometimes, the exact wording is misheard or misspoken.

Is it “Frayed Nerves” or “Fried Nerves”?

And have you been saying this correctly?

“Beside” vs. “Besides” the Point - Pins — These pins might be *beside* a pin cushion, but they are not *besides* it.

Some English language questions feel a bit prickly, but this shouldn’t be one of them.

As similar as they might appear at first glance, the debate between “beside” vs. “besides” is not similar to that of “toward” vs. “towards” or “backward” vs. “backwards.” Most of these are words that show physical relationships (ahem, “prepositions” for those who care about formal names), but one of these things is not like the other. Do you know which one?

Writing Tip 380: “Hurray” vs. “Hooray”

Hip, hip, hallelujah! No, that’s not right. But how do you spell the last word of this cheer of excitement?

Hooray! Hurray! Huzzah! Yep, these are all versions of the same exclamation of joy, encouragement, or approval that sometimes just has to be vocalized.

The Oxford English Dictionary prefers “hooray,” noting it’s a version of “hurrah.” Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com agree. The Cambridge Dictionary prefers “hurray,” noting “hooray” is a variant in the U.S. But what about you? What does your gut say?

“Hurray” vs. “hooray” is an oddly tricky question.