I second almost all of that, save for the en dash bit (because German punctuation rules are slightly different and we use the en dash where you guys—mostly—use the em dash).
I appreciate your thoughts. Why would you even be using en-dashes instead of em-dashes, is my question. The hyphen is what I've used for everything "dash-wise", due to it actually being on a standard keyboard. I would have likely gone straight to the em-dash if I even had the notion to do something differently / correctly in this paradigm.
But women shouldn't wear trousers! It seems some of your readers thought you were - heaven forbid - a reactionary. I am not a reactionary (I write as a woman) but there is a strong case for a. Modesty in dress and b. Dressing differently from men - especially in today's world. Ergo: reject trousers and wear only dresses and skirts. It is very liberating (but not 'women's lib' obviously).
Fantastic advice , I love Quilette, have never considered pitching them. Always a pleasure to read your posts I'm surprised it took so long for you "real" one
OK, I suspect you're joking, and maybe Ben was too, but I was just about to ask: Is there really anybody who thinks women shouldn’t wear trousers and all post-nineteenth century music should be banned? I'm pretty damned conservative but these are both a bridge too far for me.
I suppose I’ve heard that too, though the context made me think you meant as a matter of law or something. For that matter *I’ve* seen women I thought shouldn’t wear trousers, but that would have been individual fashion advice.
Conservatism: when old buildings look better than new buildings.
I like how that attitude is known as »lindy« now, because that sounds just as goofy and pretentious as that way of thinking actually is.
I second almost all of that, save for the en dash bit (because German punctuation rules are slightly different and we use the en dash where you guys—mostly—use the em dash).
I must have spotted you early in your career, and you've been great to read ever since – though your stance on the en-dash is unconscionable.
Hey I remember those days!
A pleasure to have come up as a columnist with you.
I appreciate your thoughts. Why would you even be using en-dashes instead of em-dashes, is my question. The hyphen is what I've used for everything "dash-wise", due to it actually being on a standard keyboard. I would have likely gone straight to the em-dash if I even had the notion to do something differently / correctly in this paradigm.
great piece, enjoyed it
But women shouldn't wear trousers! It seems some of your readers thought you were - heaven forbid - a reactionary. I am not a reactionary (I write as a woman) but there is a strong case for a. Modesty in dress and b. Dressing differently from men - especially in today's world. Ergo: reject trousers and wear only dresses and skirts. It is very liberating (but not 'women's lib' obviously).
Fantastic advice , I love Quilette, have never considered pitching them. Always a pleasure to read your posts I'm surprised it took so long for you "real" one
I mean, SHOULD women be allowed to wear trousers, though?
OK, I suspect you're joking, and maybe Ben was too, but I was just about to ask: Is there really anybody who thinks women shouldn’t wear trousers and all post-nineteenth century music should be banned? I'm pretty damned conservative but these are both a bridge too far for me.
I was exaggerating for comic effect, though I *have* heard people who think the former.
I suppose I’ve heard that too, though the context made me think you meant as a matter of law or something. For that matter *I’ve* seen women I thought shouldn’t wear trousers, but that would have been individual fashion advice.
I assumed he used it as an example because it's so retrograde and ridiculous.
Whew. :-)