paulears Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 For some reason, I just can't get to grips with using one of these. I would write "For miking up a band my first mic choice would be a ......". I always use miking and mic - but others use mic'ing, micing, mike etc. My feeling is that mic'ing has crept in from the USA, but I'm seeing it more and more, and for some reason I can't quite work out, mic'ing really makes me wince. Is this just me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Langfeld Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I've never seen a k in 'Microphone' before. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Don't remember seeing mic'ing before (but probably just not observant enough). I've never liked the "k" but micing or miceing do not look right either.I shall ponder on mic'ing for a while before I vote, but I think I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Micing for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I veer between "miking" and "micing". The trouble is, none of the options is grammatically correct. The word "microphone" is a noun and officially there isn't a verb "to microphone", "to mic" or "to mike". Spelling it "mike" makes the pronunciation clear but "mic" follows the word structure better. One thing I don't like is adding an apostrophe: "mic'ing" just doesn't fit with ANY existing rule of English: it's neither a contraction nor a possessive. However, unless you get all convoluted and say "giving a microphone to" instead of micing/mic'ing/miking, you're technically wrong and somebody is going to object! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I have just sent a letter to the OED (they do not give an e-mail address for this type of thing).If & when they reply, I will let you know what they think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I find both equally akward when written. Its one of those words which works fine verbally, but falls apart when written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Is it possible to add 'micing' to the poll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDD Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Is it possible to add 'micing' to the poll?I always read that spelling as "mice ing", not that that is gramatically a word either. What about mic-ing? Bearing in mind the above grammatical points by Bobbsy, surely this is closest to being acceptable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnno Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 "For miking up a band my first mic choice would be a ......". You could say "For miking up a band my first choice would be an SM58" (for example) and avoid the repetition in your sentence. I like apostro's :) Afterthought: You could say "My first choice for a band's mic would be a ........" and so avoid the problem. And get to use an apostro' too! Bonus!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Some Bloke Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I like apostro's :(I hate apostrophes which aren't gramatically correct so I voted the other way. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I like apostro's :) [pedant mode on] Of course what you've just said is that you like a protruding tongue belonging to an "apostro" (whatever that is). A bit kinky, perhaps, but I try to be broad minded on such things. However, I'm less broad minded on mis-used apostrophes. They're available to indicate a contraction (such as in my "they're" standing for "they are") or a possessive (such as your tongue fetish) but that's it! [/pedant mode] Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnno Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 No good for abbreviations then? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkPAman Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 If the verb we are using is "to microphone" then mic'ing and mic'ed work. However I think the verb is "to mic" or "to mike" so that would make the apostrophe wrong.I still have not voted as I can't make my mind up! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 No good for abbreviations then? :) [pedant mode back on]Nope. A abbreviation is a single word shortened, such as "Co." for "Company" or "Mr." for "Mister" and would typically use a full stop. A contraction is two words run together, such as "isn't" for "is not" and THAT uses an apostrophe.[/pedant mode] Mark, the problem with this whole thing is that, in dictionary terms there isn't a verb involving the word microphone. The only official use is as a noun. Now, we all use it as a verb meaning "to set out or attach microphones" but unless some dictionary picks up that use, we're not going to get an official answer and this will remain one of theatre life's great mysteries! However, I can't think of any other English word form that would use an apostrophe before the "ing" or "ed" suffix so I suspect the real answer must be either "micing" (allowing the non-standard pronunciation for which there are many precedents) of "miking" allowing the non-standard spelling (for which there are, again, numerous precedents in English). Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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