Today is the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, marked over the weekend by the unveiling of a new memorial in Liverpool city centre listing the names and ages at the time of the tragedy of those who died.

I’ve always had a problem with the modern use of the word ‘around’ – as in ‘the debate around’, ‘issues around’ and (particularly) ‘research around’. Over the last few years I’ve suggested to various clients that debates are about things, issues concern things, and that you research into things.

We recently completed a major editorial project on the natural environment, working on material written by people who are clearly experts in their field.

When did The Ukraine become plain Ukraine?

We had an interesting chat with one of our associates this week about forms (I know, it doesn’t sound like a very interesting topic!). Filling in forms is probably one of the most tedious tasks on the planet.

Last week saw the publication of the first ever book copy-edited by Accuracy Matters (fanfare, please!).

Following on from my post about Welsh place names and their spellings, here’s a fascinating piece from the OED about the development of place names and the problems they can pose for lexicographers.

Yesterday was Pi Day but Oxford Dictionaries were concerned that some people might be tucking into their pi, rather than getting their calculators out.

Acronyms and abbreviations are useful weapons in any writer’s armoury, but, as with any weapon, they should be handled with care. I thought it might be useful to examine some of the ways in which they can be misused, and if you can avoid these then you can get your licence.