Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

8
Aguascalientes / Ala.
Aguascalientes. City and state in central Mexico.
Aguilera, Christina. (1980–) American singer.
Agusta. Not Aug-. Italian helicopter company; formally, Gruppo
Agusta.
Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud. (1956–) President of Iran (2005–).
à huis clos. (Fr.) “Behind closed doors.”
Ah, Wilderness! Comedic play by Eugene O’Neill (1933).
aid and abet. A tautological gift from the legal profession. The two
words together tell us nothing that either doesn’t say on its own.
The only distinction is that abet is normally reserved for contexts
involving criminal intent. Thus it would be careless to
speak of a benefactor abetting the construction of a church or
youth club.
aide-de-camp, pl. aides-de-camp.
aide-mémoire, pl. same.
AIDS is not correctly described as a disease. It is a medical condi -
tion. The term is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
aiguillette. Ornamental braid worn on the shoulder of a uniform.
Airbus Industrie. European aircraft manufacturer, now called Airbus
SAS; it is a subsidiary of EADS NV.
Air France–KLM. Franco-Dutch airline formed from merger of two
national carriers in 2004.
Air Line Pilots Association. Group that looks after the interests of
American commercial pilots.
AirTran Airways.
Aix-en-Provence, France. Note hyphens.
Aix-la-Chapelle. (Hyphens.) French name for Aachen, Germany.
Aix-les-Bains, France. Note hyphens.
Ajaccio. Capital of Corsica and birthplace of Napoleon.
AK is the postal abbreviation of Alaska.
AL is the postal abbreviation of Alabama.
Ala. is the traditional abbreviation of Alabama.