Sunday, April 18, 2010

Why I Hate the Chicago Manual of Style

I had forgotten the rule on abbreviating certain titles. So I proceeded to section 15.13, which provides reason #3,985 for my hatred of the so-called guide:

Rep. Mark Kirk; Representative Kirk . . .

Senator Susan Collins ("Sen.," though used in journalism, is better avoided in formal prose)


It simply defies logic. And what the hell is formal prose? Anything not written on a napkin?

Let's add "CMS-induced frustration" to the inevitable duo of "death and taxes."