Why Don't You Post on FST?

[bobochan33]

Could not have stated the idea of posting to this site any better than Termanati. Cheers!!!!

[Termanati]

Someone actually replied to a post I made, Surely I am a member now ?

[IdolEyes787]

I'm not mean, I'm just a smart ass .......

As it's "smart-ass",we went to the judges and I'm afraid that you're only going to be given credit for the ass part.

[jazex]

I avoid forum posting on just about every site simply because most people who are new or trying to contribute are given
replies (and not politely mind you) along the lines of...

Google is your friend.
Learn to use the search ffs!
Do we really need another thread on this?

I realize the reason for those replies but they're done in such an a-hole manner that I don't find conducive to building a community.
I also realize that this site may not fit that mold, but every time I try to give the internet the benefit of the doubt it beats me back down again. Oh and grammar nazis.

[RePete1]

Don't know how or have anything relevant to say

[wild]

Don't know how or have anything relevant to say

My thoughts exactly, plus there is always Google

[mjmacky]

I'm not mean, I'm just a smart ass .......

As it's "smart-ass",we went to the judges and I'm afraid that you're only going to be given credit for the ass part.

I took intentional liberties with spacing, but since I'm not British, I don't go abusing hyphens unless I need to properly demonstrate a compound adjective.

I am pleased to share that all your credit has been revoked, and you are no longer allowed to loiter in front of the colloquial wing of Grammar House with your bike's back wheel raised from the ground. They offer a spin class not even two blocks from here.

[mjmacky]

Pinkies only, please.

Mice or digits?

Clearly, rats would be completely OK.

[megabyteme]

Looking it up, I do not see any particular way that is better, or even regionally "correct"... http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/smart+ass

Personally, I use hyphens to show equal importance to the two connected words. In this case, I tend to lean towards "smart-ass", or "smartass" as a second option. This is the typically seen smart aleck definition. However, for Mary, I believe, "smart, ass" is more appropriate.

[mjmacky]

Looking it up, I do not see any particular way that is better, or even regionally "correct"... http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/smart+ass

Personally, I use hyphens to show equal importance to the two connected words. In this case, I tend to lean towards "smart-ass", or "smartass" as a second option. This is the typically seen smart aleck definition. However, for Mary, I believe, "smart, ass" is more appropriate.

If you really wanted to know, you could have just asked. When two nouns have been used together enough to the point that one could expect the average listener or reader to understand its definition, we can form a compound noun by closing the space. It would not be considered a grammatical error to do so. Eventually, the general accepted usage will be that compound, nonbreaking noun. Smartass is one such word.

Before that broad acceptance happens, however, US English will tend toward a space, and UK English would be the more likely culprit for hyphenation. US English will still make liberal use of hyphens in compound adjectives because many of those cases do require some clarification.

Hence the difference between:
These are my children touching hands
and
These are my children-touching hands.

Of course, the latter would be the rarest of admissions, but I really have no idea what priests brag about during confessions.