The Yahoo! Word List: An Online Resource for Writers

Just when you felt comfortable with your writing you discover that other writers are using words differently, spellings and definitions are not consistent with your dictionary listings, new words and terms are appearing. How can you make sense of it all? What or who is right? Which dictionary or style guide is correct? It can cause you to throw up your hands in despair and yell. Maybe throwing your hands into the air and yelling won't solve anything but you may feel better.

Ok. Now that you are searching for some clarification and help you have found the online Yahoo! Style Guide. Ah, you say. Now you can find some answers, some guidance. You won't be so confused. But wait! The guide says I need to adjust my writing style for my audience, my workplace or my own voice. That is not clear. As you read on you discover that there is clarification. You can define your writing style and Yahoo is there to help.

One section of the style guide that this writer recommends is The Yahoo! Word List. After all you have developed your writing style. You are comfortable with your writing it is the word discrepancies that have been causing the problems and confusion. New terms and words are appearing all of the time (...think of the Bushisms, note the new words coined by Sarah Palin, President Obama gives a spin to certain words that cause a delay in meaning). Public figures, popular culture, extended media sources and online writing have created a need for some clarification. The Yahoo! Word List has been complied for just that clarification. Words are listed to supplement and expand the dictionaries you are used to. Many technical and geeky computer terms are included for you (even if you don't understand them).

The Word List:

Covers words and terms related to:

Communications

Technology

Branding

Abbreviations

Contractions

Popular meanings

Allows you to check current:

Spelling

Usage

Supplements your current dictionary

Easy alphabetical search capabilities

The fact that this is all available online for your use is fantastic. Just bookmark the Yahoo! Style Guide . You have this excellent reference there for your personal use 24/7.

Once you explore The Yahoo! Word List you will be hooked. So many terms, abbreviations, contractions and unfamiliar technical jargon is included that you will return again and again.

Example:

When you are writing online do you display something on the screen, onscreen or on screen?

You would display that content onscreen.

Once you gain an appreciation of The Yahoo! Word List and begin to use the online version you may discover that you need to build your own word list. Note common misspellings that you are looking up over and over. You know there are words that you just can't remember. Add them to your own word list. When you hear a new word/term that you know is going to come in handy later add it to your word list. Soon you will have an additional list of words that will save you lots of time and frustration.

Build Your Own Word List

Compile:

Frequently misspelled words

Editor's corrections/suggestions

New Words

Exceptions

SEO advantages

Foreign words

Once you have built your own word list be sure to make it a living document. Take the time to update as you are writing. Once in awhile go through your word list revising and updating it to keep it current and useful. Soon you will wonder how you wrote without these references.