At some point in my professional life, I found the entry for 'Web site' in The Associated Press Stylebook. Two words, with the W in caps to denote it as short form for World Wide Web. I stopped writing the term 'website' and substituted 'Web site,' so as not to draw a visit from the Style police. (They're already on me for the red and white gingham pants I once owned.)
I was comfortable with that, as I smuggly edited away 'website' and 'web site' over the last few years. But times they are a-changin'.
I began noticing 'website' in The Boston Globe. At first I dismissed it as an error. But the second time, it made me bristle. Obviously it was supposed to be there. I rushed to my latest copy of the AP Stylebook and found 'Web site' right where I had left it. To be sure, I checked Merriam Webster's online dictionary and found 'Web site' there also.
But still, I cannot stop 'website' from creeping up in my morning paper.
From what I can tell, 'Web site' is still the preferred form for many media outlets and dictionaries, but the general sense is that we will move towards 'website.' I found a blog about 'Web site' v. 'website' by Bill Walsh, copy editor for The Washington Post. His blog is called "The Slot," but oddly has nothing to do with casinos. Check it out: http://www.theslot.com/email.html
If the appearance of 'website' keeps freaking me out, maybe I'll join millions of other Americans in canceling my newspaper subscription.
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