Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

280
provenance / Punxsutawney
provenance. Place of origin.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. French region.
proverbial. Unless there is some connection to an actual proverb, the
word is wrongly used and better avoided.
provided, providing. Most authorities consider the first preferable to
the second in constructions such as “He agreed to come provided
he could get the day off work,” but either would be correct.
“If” is often better still.
Pryor, Richard. (1940–2005) American comedian and actor.
Przewalski’s horse, Przewalski’s gazelle. Two rare species, both named
for Nikolai Przewalski (or Przhevalsky), Russian explorer (1839–
1888).
pseudonym. Pen name.
psittacosis. Sometimes called parrot fever; a disease of birds that can
be passed to people.
ptarmigan.
pterodactyl.
publicly. Not -ally.
Publishers Weekly. (No apos.) American trade magazine.
Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924) Italian composer of operas.
Pudd’nhead Wilson, The Tragedy of. Novel by Mark Twain (1894).
puerile. Childish.
puerperal. Pertaining to childbirth, as in puerperal psychosis.
Puerto Rico. Formerly a U.S. territory, now a self-governing commonwealth.
Puget Sound, Washington.
Pulitzer Prize. Named for Joseph Pulitzer (1847–1911).
pumice. Volcanic rock.
pumpernickel. Coarse wholemeal rye bread.
punctilious.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; town noted for its Groundhog Day
ceremonies.