A good part of what I do for my living involves me actually writing
words-real words-all day long. Because at times, I need to go back
several hours, perhaps days, or even weeks to recheck something.
Shorthand doesn't get it for me.
Not only do I need to know what I meant, but those who work with
me may need to know exactly what I meant at that time.
So I tend to write out, in full, exactly what I meant to say. If I need a
word I can not spell, I own this great big gray book. Sets right on my
desk. It is called a DICTIONARY. Nice, two volume set. The book next to
that is called a THESAURUS.
Those are handy little books for someone like me, who can't always spell
correctly.
I didn't say that trying to be a smart alec. Not trying to offend anyone.
A good dictionary, a thesaurus are books that I think every desk should have.
I can understand everyone not having Elements of Style, or any number of
writing books. But a simple dictionary?