Writing tip: Et Cetera, and Its Proper Use

[seankreynolds]

Writing tip: "Et cetera" is a Latin expression; if you abbreviate it should have a period at the end of it. Thus, "etc." rather than "etc" ... that is, if the company you're writing for uses "etc." at all-some (such as Paizo, and Wizards last time I checked) prefer "and so on" to "et cetera" or "etc

Comments

[arya]

Pssh. That's ironic, coming from a guy who probably says "ettsettera" instead of the proper Classical Latin "etCHETtera."

[seankreynolds]

So quick to judge me, you are!

[mhacdebhandia]

Er, and by classical Latin you clearly mean medieval/church Latin, since in classical Latin it would be et KETera.

I personally always spell it out and italicise it as et cetera.

[arya]

I meant Classical Latin, I just phoneticised poorly. "ch" always sounds hard whenever I see it in my head. Err. When I hear it in my head? You know what I mean. I wouldn't call Ecclesiastical Latin "medieval" Latin, though, since I don't think the "modern Latin" (*snicker* "modern" Latin, keke) pronunciations really fluorished until the 18th or 19th century? I'd have to do some digging.

I hated the bastardised Latin when I worked in academia. Every time I heard some guy with a PhD say "low-sigh" my left eye would twitch. And every time I'd say "low-chi" out of a sense of moral obligation, they'd all look at me funny. I tried to explain but it never really worked out. Most modern scientists really don't have room in their lives to geek out on anything beyond their own little corner of science... it's a shame really.

[irishninja]

And don't forget the equally valid but woefully underused abbreviation of "&c."

I think I should try to put more &c. into my writing every day. *nodnod*

[seankreynolds]

I could see you doing that, Mike, if it were "&x." rather than "&c." ;)

[irishninja]

Touche xsir, touche!

XD