One of my friends on the copy desk sent me a good-natured note Friday night long after I had gone home for the day.

She mentioned that my use of "stomping grounds" in my column for Tuesday -- don't get me started on my deadlines -- had prompted debate among a few nightside editors.

She wrote: "A senior member of the copy desk claims the phrase is 'stamping grounds' which the dictionary agrees with but the majority of copy editors did not."

I cherish those kinds of discussions. And I'm being totally serious when I say that I love associating with people who care about words.

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