[Ads-l] A puzzle for prescriptivists

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Ben mentions cold-call as a precursor to cold email. Here are some
similar forms; hyphens seem to be uncommon, but I found an example of
"cold-contact".

cold-contact, cold message, cold mail, cold tweet

How to Cold-Contact Employers...Even If You're Cold-Call Reluctant
The most potent way to land a job is cold contact. Here are my
thoughts on how to do it and to overcome cold-call reluctance.
http://martynemko.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-cold-call-or-cold-contact.html


How do I cold message someone on LinkedIn with whom I have no connection?
https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-cold-message-someone-on-LinkedIn-with-whom-I-have-no-connection

How to cold mail your way up the career ladder | Newstalk
https://www.newstalk.com/How-to-cold-mail-your-way-up-the-career-ladder

YEC - How to "Cold Tweet" a prospective client on Twitter... | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/theyec/posts/how-to-%22cold...a/645411805511494/

Garson

On Tue, Jul 31, 2018 at 11:50 AM, Ben Zimmer <bgzimmer at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'd say "cold-email" is a verb and best hyphenated as such, to match
> "cold-call" on which it's modeled. Both verbs draw on the meaning of "cold"
> that OED labels "quasi-adverbial" ("without preparation, preliminary
> performance, etc."), but that use of "cold" tends to appear after the verb
> ("call/email cold" vs. "cold-call/email").
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 31, 2018 at 11:26 AM, Laurence Horn <laurence.horn at yale.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Does “to cold email”, as in the subject line, count as a split
>> infinitive?  If not (since arguably “cold-email” is a verb), Mr. Duane
>> makes sure with his “how to effectively cold email” in the body of the text.
>>
>> LH
>>
>> > Begin forwarded message:
>> >
>> > From: T.J. Duane
>> > Subject: How to cold email Yale alums (and get a response!)
>> > Date: July 31, 2018 at 8:31:44 AM EDT
>> > To: Laurence Horn <laurence.horn at yale.edu>
>> >
>> > Hi Laurence,
>> >
>> > You know the Yale network can be pretty powerful, right? The people who
>> went to your school can really help you get ahead.
>> >
>> > But first, you have to actually connect with them (not just click
>> connect on Linkedin). So how do you reach out to an alum you find
>> interesting without seeming...totally awkward?
>> >
>> > Here are a few tips on how to effectively cold email an alum and a
>> template you can use. (3 minute read) […]
>> >
>> > I hope this is helpful!
>> >
>> > Best,
>> > T.J.
>> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org