Welcome to Marcial Arts and Letters
Long ago and far away in a cubicle at the offices of Sports Illustrated (at Time-Life as was) in New York City, a dear friend of mine, Benita Korn, put out a weekly memo to the copy editors and proofreaders lovingly entitled “Tirade from the Triangle”–the Triangle being in those hazy days the room to which were relegated the–gasp!–smokers among us.
A digression: We can call it a “cubicle” even though it was triangular in shape because the word cubicle, in fact, does not suggest a cube shape but instead derives from the Latin cubiculum, itself from cubare (”to lie down”). I started on the Sunday overnight shift at SI in 1977–waiting long hours for copy from the last games played and horse races run and Olympic medals won. Believe me, the cubicles were frequently employed in the context of their first meaning found in Webster 11: a sleeping compartment.
In honor and in memory of Benita, I have begun this blog from my desk in Vermont, far away from the Schlager Dallas office staff and all of our various freelancer writers and editors, as a way to discuss the trials and tribulations of editing. I will be reviewing and commenting on a variety of language mortifications and misusages, gaffes and clinkers, follies and misadventures, peeves and perplexities. I hope you will join in the fun.
To future readers: I know at least two punsters and funsters among us who will be goading us at every turn. To the punsters and funsters: Be kind, you two. You know who you are, Henry and Tom (B. not S.).
July 20th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
You may be far away in Vermont, Marcia, but we here in Dallas always hear your voice loud and clear. Happy blogging!
July 22nd, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Not to get this blog off on the wrong foot, but shouldn’t some credit be given for the name of the blog? After all, I’ve already been tarred and feathered a punster, so why not glory in the title?
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I will consult your log often. Thanks for starting it.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
[…] launched her new blog, titled “Marcial Arts and Letters.” As you’ll see from the first post, Marcia will devote her blog to matters of style and grammar. Everyone who works in reference […]
August 4th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Came here through Neil Schlager’s blog. I’ll admit, I am looking forward to your posts. Words intrigue me - meaning, context and all! Your blog has been RSSed (Is that a word even?)
August 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Right you are, Henry. I polled friends for a good name for the blog, and Henry’s entry won. Thanks!
September 17th, 2007 at 3:15 am
Marcia,
Just became aware of your blog and must say it’s very nice to see. I’ll certainly be looking in from time to time.
October 15th, 2007 at 2:23 am
We here in “these here hills” have been busy gettin’ in the wood for the winter and just had our very first chance to see and read Martial Arts and Letters. A very fine blog indeed! Matters of style and reference are of interest to “us woodchucks and critters”, ’specially through the winter months. I’m in your debt for finally understanding the derivation of the word cubical.