Testy Copy Editors

Our new website is up and running at testycopyeditors.org. This board will be maintained as an archive. Please visit the new site and register. Direct questions to the proprietor, blanp@testycopyeditors.org
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:08 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:36 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2004 12:01 am
Posts: 52
Location: carlsbad, new mexico
Is it crack-cocaine or crack cocaine? What about stories that say so and so admits to abusing crack cocaine, as if there's a responsible way to use crack.


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:52 am 
Offline

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 12:01 am
Posts: 1399
Location: In the newsroom
<blockquote><font size="1" face="TImes, TimesNR, serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by night train:
Is it crack-cocaine or crack cocaine? What about stories that say so and so admits to abusing crack cocaine, as if there's a responsible way to use crack.<hr></blockquote> Seems to me you can say just crack, as by definition it means a form of cocaine, but if you absolutely want both, no hyphen. Can't speak to the rest. Not sure what you're asking.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:23 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:01 am
Posts: 1286
Location: Saranac Lake, N.Y.
I agree with Susan's post. Since I now have AP's online stylebook, I'll post its entry for cocaine even though it's no help whatsoever.<p>cocaine The slang term coke should appear only in quoted matter. Crack is a refined cocaine in crystalline rock form.<p>[ April 16, 2004: Message edited by: ADKbrown ]</p>


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 3:31 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:01 am
Posts: 744
Location: HuskerLand
While I know what you mean about the abuse question, the user is abusing him or herself, not the cocaine. I think you could just say "so-and-so admitting to using cocaine" and it would be just as clear.


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:08 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2002 12:01 am
Posts: 1775
Location: Baltimore
If "crack" is clear from context, I'd leave out the "cocaine." Wouldn't hyphenate.<p>Everyone knows its use is illegal, so no need to say "abuse."


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: crack cocaine
PostPosted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 12:23 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:01 am
Posts: 1025
Location: The Lexington Avenue Spaceship
As I understand it, abuse, referring to drugs or alcohol, generally means addictive or excessive use (as opposed to moderate or recreational use). But from what I know of it (admittedly not much), no one uses crack in moderation.


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group

What They're Saying




Useful Links