My proof is returned from the editor with the word 'teen' circled and marked: 'This is a horrid Americanism.'Alternative words for young people and the use and unuse of Americanisms aside, the word 'horrid' brought back memories of Latin translations. It's from horrere to tremble or when referring to hair, to stand on end. On its journey round the English language, it has been used to describe rough or hairy things like hair brushes, sea urchins, doormats or bristles on a boar's back.
Another useful derivative is 'horripilation' -- when hairs on the skin stand on end with fear, cold or excitement.
So this large green correction gave me a picture of our editor all a-tremble with outrage, so offended that his hair stood up on end.
Picture from Stock.xchng
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