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A different italics question...

Tiny NellTiny Nell
edited August 2014 in Writing

‘Of course, Sam. No problemo, as they say.’ He’d been watching too much TV and was picking up all sorts of phrases.


In the text above, I wanted to emphasize the phrase 'as they say'. I used italics for this. However, one of my proofreaders has indicated that I should use italics instead for 'No problemo' as it is 'foreign'. I wanted this part of the speech to roll off the tongue naturally, though, as though it is commonplace.

Any thoughts?
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Comments

  • heatherheather
    I wouldn't use any italics in that.
  • Baggy BooksBaggy Books
    Isn't it slang based on problema (Spanish)?
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Yes, it's not meant to be any real language. The character is showing off that he is picking up common terms which he's heard on TV, so wants to stress the 'as they say' part of the sentence.
  • LizyLizy
    No italics, IMO
  • Mrs BearMrs Bear
    'No problemo' is sufficiently different in itself, as cod-Spanish, not to need italics, TN, and you wouldn't italicise 'as they say' either. It's one of those phrases that irritates just by being there - meaningless, but used for effect.
  • Tristram_ShandyTristram_Shandy
    Agreed, no italics necessary.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Thanks, all.

    Italics have been duly removed and driven into the earth with a heavy mallet.
  • LizyLizy
    A slanted one, I trust?
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    At a 30 degree angle, of course...
  • snailmalesnailmale
    I am late to this thread. However, TN, you seem to have received admirable advice.

    *feels at a loose end* ~:> :(|)
  • LizyLizy
    diddums :)
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    I am late to this thread. However, TN, you seem to have received admirable advice.

    *feels at a loose end* ~:> :(|)
    Don't worry. I know you would have helped IF YOU HAD BEEN BOTHERED TO LOOK AT MY CAREFULLY-NURTURED THREAD.

    *breathes deeply and counts to ten*

    Maybe you could find something to do. I don't know... fitting a too-big bath panel, perhaps?

  • snailmalesnailmale
    I take care not to pass an early opinion on anything that's to do with grammar, punctuation, etc. I usually get sneered at and prefer to go with the flow when a consensus has been reached.

    There is bath panel news on the Grumpy Thread.
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    Whoopee!

    *rushes across draped in towel*
  • CarolCarol
    If you have an email message in the story, would you show that in italics?
  • Tiny NellTiny Nell
    No, I'd use a different font and set it out like an email.
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