New AP Stylebook makes L of a change

AP Stylebook

AP Stylebook

Chicago has a new distinction in the definitive resource for journalists: As of Wednesday, the city can lay claim to the shortest entry in The Associated Press Stylebook.

It is, simply, L.

AP Stylebook (Page 155)

AP Stylebook (Page 155)

Among more than 240 new and modified entries, the just-released 2016 AP Stylebook formalizes “L” as the accepted spelling for the Chicago Transit Authority train system.

Other changes in the new edition include switching internet and web to lowercase in all instances; allowing DJ on first reference; recognizing spokesperson in addition to spokesman and spokeswoman; and providing new guidance on the terms marijuana, cannabis and pot; cross dresser and transvestite; accident and crash; notorious and notoriety.

It also features 36 new and updated entries in the food chapter, from arctic char to whisky/whiskey, and eight in the fashion chapter, including normcore and Uniqlo.

Available in print and digital formats, the AP Stylebook is used as a writing and editing reference in newsrooms, classrooms and offices around the world. Its guidelines on spelling, language, punctuation, usage and journalistic style have been updated regularly since 1953.

The L

The L