At the final proof stage...

pdr · Dec 30, 2007

and the profs call me in to check the English. I have asked to be called in at first edit but sigh! This has to be finished today.

We have:

If patients are on a special diet the dietician will help them choose from a selective menu.

Anyone come up with something better than selective menu please?

girlyswot · Dec 30, 2007

Shouldn't it be a 'selected menu'? Selective means that the menu itself is picky. Whereas I assume that what you're trying to convey is that someone else has already carefully selected the menu to be appropriate for their needs?

Or maybe a 'restricted menu'?

Or is the point that it's a menu you can choose from? In which case 'menu' works for me!

Judg · Dec 30, 2007

a needs-specific menu, perhaps? customized? appropriate?

I agree that selective is incorrect. A person is selective, not a menu.

pdr · Dec 30, 2007

I agree.

I have been saying that until I am blue in the face but they're taking nun o'yon and want to keep selective menu.

I think I'll try a little blackmail: 'No more editing unless we fix this first!'
Trouble is they have a Japanese-American publisher who says 'selective menu' is fine, good American English!!!!

Deleted member 42 · Dec 30, 2007

People can be selective; it implies sentience and decision-making--a menu is incapable of either.

Plus there's this.

At the final proof stage...

pdr

girlyswot

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

pdr

Deleted member 42