Date:  Sat, 25 Feb 1995 12:50:39 CST

From:  "Donald M. Lance" <ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.BITNET>

Subject: Re: Looking for some useful arguments



A copyediting "thing" in these parts is the insistence of some (non-native,

say natives) editors who isnist that the modifier must be OZARKS, not

OZARK. E.g., "Ozarks culture," not "Ozark culture." These editors

are irritated by phrases like "Ozark Mountains," local usage notwithstanding.

They argue that the region is "the Ozarks," so the -s should be retained.

Phone-book entries indicate that the names of older businesses will have

forms like "Ozark Plumbing Company," whereas more-recently-founded

companies will use "Ozarks" in the name. I think there's a real trend

here, not just fussiness of editors, though the editors are generally

more attuned to their own attitudes than to what the general public is doing.

On occasional hand-lettered signs one finds "Ozark's Plumbing," and I

remember seeing the apostrophed form in a phone book in SW Mo.

Is something similar going on in other areas --e.g., Adirondaks, Poconos?

Wouldn't happen with "Rocky," so this isn't a simple little item.

                              DMLance