TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Wordsmithing From:Beverly Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH1 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Mon, 9 Jan 1995 07:08:52 MST
> Rick Lippincott said
>> Although, I must admit, the synonomous phrase "weasel wording" was a tad more
>> popular.
I hear "wordsmith" a lot around where I work. I don't think the
general meaning as used here would be synonomous with "weasel
wording." To me, "weasel wording" has a definite negative
connotation. "Wordsmithing," however, appears to be the
non-editors', non-writers' way to say "Now make it right and
proper."
I will admit that "wordsmithing" is not seen as something that
should be in the forefront of worries when developing a document.
For example, I was part of a group that was developing a large
presentation. In addition to being an active member of the group
as an SME, I also had the "side duty" of performing "quality
assurance" on the final product. However, if I attempted to
correct grammar and sentence structure as documents were being
written, someone would say "we can wordsmith it later."
Beverly Parks
bparks -at- huachuca-emh1 -dot- army -dot- mil
