Q. I am copyediting an article about a brand of software. The article repeatedly uses the term dialog, but Merriam-Webster prefers the spelling dialogue. However, the software uses dialog in all its documentation. Which spelling does CMOS prefer in this case? Thank you.
A. Merriam-Webster shows dialog as a “less common” variant, which means that it is standard English and may be used according to preference. If you type “dialogue” and then “dialog” into the CMOS Search box, you’ll find that CMOS happens to prefer dialogue in most contexts but makes an exception for dialog box. And in fact, Merriam-Webster has an entry for dialog box (“a window on a computer screen for choosing options or inputting information”). Context is important.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I wonder which you think is best: Key Lime pie, Key lime pie, or key lime pie?
A. I’m actually partial to pecan, but if you’re asking about spelling, consult a dictionary: Merriam-Webster enters the term in lowercase, while noting that the “k” in “key” is often capped (because it derives from the Florida Keys, which you can discover under the separate entry for “key lime”). Chicago usually goes with first-listed terms in M-W, but either one is correct.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Is it ever okay to use further to denote a greater distance? I know that farther is technically correct for this scenario, but I also know that this distinction is fairly recent, and that some great writers have used further to denote a greater distance.
A. See CMOS 5.254, under “farther; further”: “The traditional distinction is to use farther for a physical distance {we drove farther north to see the autumn foliage} and further for a figurative distance {let’s examine this further} {look no further}. Although it’s a refinement of slight importance, connoisseurs will appreciate it.”
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. My fashion expert daughter insists that denim does not go with “almost anything,” as I say it does. What is your opinion? Does denim match almost anything, including other colors and other fabrics (e.g., silk)?
A. Finally, a real style question! If only we Chicago manuscript editors were a little more fashion-forward . . .
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I am trying to find the definition of “roman style” as contrasted with “Times New Roman.”
A. “Roman style” means regular (not italic) type. It can be in any typeface (or “font”). Times New Roman is the name of a typeface, which can appear in roman, italic, bold, and other styles. In CMOS you can find a definition of roman type in the glossary at the end of the manual.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. “School-age” or “school-aged”? The two seem to be used interchangeably.
Q. I can’t find a clear answer regarding “oversize” vs. “oversized” and similar terms.
Q. Are “more than” and “over” interchangeable when writing about quantities?
A. Questions like these are frequently asked but rarely answered in this space because they’re so easy to check in a dictionary. Perhaps because of the ready availability of online resources, we often forget about the humble desk dictionary, or, for those who require more flash, its online version. (Answers: school-age; it doesn’t matter; and yes, although sticklers might disagree.)
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “teleconference” as “a conference held among people in different locations by means of a telecommunications network.” Would that mean that “teleconference call” is not as redundant as it seems? If we offer a teleconference via telephone only, would it be prudent to add “call” to the marketing collateral in order to avoid being pressed to provide a videoconference in fulfillment of our contract? Thank you.
A. It’s always smart to be clear in a contract. Why not say “telephone conference”?
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Is it “cell phone” or “cel phone”?
I am working on a crash deadline, and would appreciate a quick response. Thank you so much!
A. Any writer who has deadlines should also have a dictionary. I always swear I’m not going to look up
words for people, but it’s like being a mom and picking up socks—something just
makes me do it. It’s “cell phone.”
Please buy a dictionary—and pick up your socks.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I would like to know if a rule exists for the use of “all” and “all of.” Which of these sentences is correct: All the employees submitted vacation requests OR All of the employees submitted vacation requests? Thanks for your help.
A. Chicago style deletes the “of” whenever possible; see CMOS 5.254, under “all (of).” Dictionaries are great for figuring out what words mean. Look up “all” and you’ll learn that it can be used as an adjective modifying a subject (“all employees”) or as a pronoun subject, which can be modified by a prepositional phrase (“of the employees”). When you write “all the employees,” the latter construction is at work; the “of” is silent but understood.
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. With respect to insurance claims, which is the preferred usage, “payer” or “payor”? They appear to each be legitimate. Merriam-Webster refers to “payor” as a variant of “payer,” but usage of “payor” is commonplace within the industry as well. Any definitive help is appreciated.
A. Although it’s flattering to think that you might take our word over that of Merriam-Webster, we in fact defer to that authority. Since “payer” and “payor” are variants in M-W, that’s good enough for us. (But we usually go for the first-listed variant; furthermore, in this case, “payor” is listed as the less common of the two.)
[This answer relies on the 18th edition of CMOS (2024) unless otherwise noted.]