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  #1  
Unread 08-14-2014, 11:40 AM
Michael Juster Michael Juster is offline
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Default Mr. Grammarfuss Becomes Bewildered VIII

Would you use porchlight, porch-light or porch light?
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  #2  
Unread 08-14-2014, 12:08 PM
Edmund Conti Edmund Conti is offline
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No, it just attracts moths.
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Unread 08-14-2014, 12:15 PM
Simon Hunt Simon Hunt is offline
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God help me, but Edmund's unhelpful response actually cracked me up--snorting, coffee-out-the-nose laughter...

I vote porch-light, but I'm a gutless compromiser...
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Unread 08-14-2014, 12:15 PM
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Mary Meriam Mary Meriam is offline
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LOL, Ed.

porch light
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  #5  
Unread 08-14-2014, 12:56 PM
Jeanne G Jeanne G is offline
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Those hyphenation conundrums can be a bugger, huh. I'd go with porch light too.

*bug lights can help with the moth problem*
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Unread 08-14-2014, 01:32 PM
Roger Slater Roger Slater is offline
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A quick browse on the internet seems to favor "porch light."
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  #7  
Unread 08-14-2014, 01:44 PM
Stephen Hampton Stephen Hampton is offline
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I would probably use poach light; but I think you'all may know that about me.
Somewhat irreverently, without incivility,
Yours,
swh
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  #8  
Unread 08-14-2014, 02:43 PM
Shaun J. Russell Shaun J. Russell is offline
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If you want to avoid any raised eyebrows, then "porch light."

If you want to channel a modernist, then "porchlight."

If you want to annoy all of your readers, then "porch-light."
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  #9  
Unread 08-14-2014, 04:23 PM
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Janice D. Soderling Janice D. Soderling is offline
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porch light
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  #10  
Unread 08-14-2014, 04:43 PM
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Maryann Corbett Maryann Corbett is offline
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Noun phrase, or attributive noun used adjectivally?

The flickerings of the porch light threw strange shadows.

The porch-light flickerings threw, etc.

(There are probably clearer examples, but I'm composing on the fly.)

Yrs in grammarfussery,
Maryann
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