Irk! You've Changed Your Writing Style

Dear Madame L,

I thought that you were, like me, a fan of correct grammar and usage. You used to use the terms "Internet" and "Web site" and "e-mail," but now you just write "internet" and "website" and "email."

Is the world about to end, or what?

Sincerely,

Grammarian

Dear Grammarian,

First, Madame L would like to point out that a REAL fan of correct grammar and usage would NEVER use the term "fan of correct grammar and usage," and would NEVER use the word "usage" within five words of the term "used to use." So there. 

Secondly, Madame L realizes that living languages, including our beloved English language, are constantly changing. Madame L used to use the word Internet for the Internet, e-mail for e-mail, and Web site for Web site because those were the proper terms. 

(Until recently, apparently, not everyone realized that "Web site" means "a computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web," so a writer had to clarify by writing "Web site," and most everyone thought the Internet was some place that had to be referenced with a capital letter, like, say, the Pentagon, where it originated.)

Thirdly, Madame L recognizes that you are probably going to quibble over her usage of First, Secondly, and Thirdly, so she refers you to Webster's Dictionary of Usage, which notes that although it's more correct to use the parallel construction of First, Second, and Third --- or Firstly, Secondly, and Thirdly --- "consistency in this specific usage has not always had a particularly high regard with good writers."

(Is that not precious?)

The Associated Press maintains a style sheet or book, which many news organizations in the U.S. expect their writers to follow and which Madame L follows when she's unsure of proper usage. (Madame L admits that she makes mistakes mostly when she thinks she's sure of proper usage.)

If you're interested, Dear Grammarian, in some of the interesting, and correct, ways that English is being written nowadays, Madame L recommends the AP Stylebook Online's recent questions and answers.

If you want to quibble or make suggestions, AP Stylebook Online is asking for your help. 

You may be just the one to clarify for the Associated Press and the rest of us the proper past tense for the new usage of the verb "tweet" ("tweeted"? "twittered"? "wrote a tweet"?). Have at it!

Your mostly grammatically correct friend,

Madame L