The Chicago Manual of Style (new 15th ed.) has a section on hyphens and
a paragraph on the tendency toward closed compounds (no hyphen). They
send one to the dictionary for the distinction. Hyphenated compounds
were more typical in the early 20th C: as in "to-day." But British and
US conventions vary. In the US, "firsthand" is listed as a standard
closed compound by Websters (the dictionary noted by CMS).
Nancy

>>> [log in to unmask] 11/04/04 3:43 AM >>>
The Oxfpord Dictionary of Canadian English gives
only first-hand. A good compromise?

P.

-----Original Message-----
From: George Carless
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 2004-Nov-03 1:49 PM
Subject: OT - Quick question on usage

Hi all,

I am in a conversation with the writers here at work (I am but a lowly
Web master): they want to use "firsthand" as a word at the end of a
sentence -- as in "they have experienced the dedication of our experts
firsthand". I take the view that it should be "first hand" here (and in
fact prefer 'first hand' in most cases except for example "She
experienced firsthand our expertise". I don't really have any basis for
this prejudice, though. Am I right? Am I wrong? Can anyone weigh in?

Thanks!
--George
--------------------------------------
George Carless ... [log in to unmask]
Words are just dust in deserts of soun