'weightlifting' or 'weight lifting'??

[DaveG]

I had to produce a résumé for a class. Under interests, I put down "weight lifting" as one thing. My professor (who is an ass) took me from an A to a B on it because of this (résumés have to be absolutely perfect, so 1 mistake = 1 letter grade). A quick google search shows entries in encyclopedias under both terms. Anybody know of a good source that says which way is actually "correct?" I am about to look it up in the OED.

[8.8]

**** i'd be pisssed i'd take a dictionary into the prof and show him its in there both ways

[jAy_Dub]

What class is this for, and at what education level? Thats ridiculous.

[Jordanbcool]

I would complain to a higher authority. It is correct to use it both ways. Explain your reasoning to him again. If he ignores you then file a complaint to the dean or someone in a similar position. You may not get the "A" but atleast you'll show him that you don't appreciate being bullied.

[DaveG]

It's technical writing. 3000 level college english class... required for all science majors. Problem is, he is the head of the English dept, so I can't really complain to anyone higher except maybe the dean of admissions.

[RedSpikeyThing]

What class is this for, and at what education level? Thats ridiculous.

Ridiculous? I think so. Fair? Depends on if it was in the assignment description or not.

[Paul Stagg]

Weightlifting is a sport in the Olympics.

I spend time lifting weights.

I'd give you a B. You should have used a term such as 'Weightlifting' if you compete as such, or 'Bodybuilding' if you compete as such, or 'resistance training' if you just like to lift weights at the gym.

[BFGUITAR]

Basket ball is also a sport in the olympics and when we write about the sport even if we dont compete its still Basketball.

[DaveG]

Paul, I did not know the distinction. Thanks for pointing that out. However, I don't think an English professor will be aware of the difference.

OED did not have an entry for either spelling. Webster's only had it with a space. The encyclopedia my school has a subscription to used 'weightlifting', 'weight lifting', and 'weight-lifting' all in the same paragraph. I think I will talk with the professor and see what he says.

[DaveG]

Ridiculous? I think so. Fair? Depends on if it was in the assignment description or not.

He warned us they had to be perfect. I think he was just looking for errors so hard (and couldn't find a legitimate one) that he marked weight lifting. He's a professor that can't stand to give anyone an A - even if it was earned.

[KingJustin]

Why are you talking about weight lifting on your resume?

[Sidior]

Why are you talking about weight lifting on your resume?

He said he put it under interests.

[RedSpikeyThing]

He warned us they had to be perfect. I think he was just looking for errors so hard (and couldn't find a legitimate one) that he marked weight lifting. He's a professor that can't stand to give anyone an A - even if it was earned.

Then it's fair game in my books.
Not giving out many A's is a good thing....it means you actually earned it when you get one

[KingJustin]

He said he put it under interests.

It just doesn't seem like something worth telling an employer..

[Sidior]

It just doesn't seem like something worth telling an employer..

I didn't say it was, just trying to let you what he said lol.

[Beast]

Yeah, your first mistake was putting that on your resume (unless you were applying for a manual labor/PT job).

Sorry, man. Sounds like a tough professor.

[anelka]

No offence but that professor is a dickhead.

[Blanche_Soprano]

About the interests section, I have had to make plenty of resumes and most say to include something along the lines of an interests section. It is a great way of making a connection with a possible employer. It also shows a well rounded individual. I received this information from my college's career services and also from a textbook for my workplace writing course.

Here's a fun thing to do, pull up Microsoft Word and get to the template menu (new document). From there, check out any of the resumes they give as samples; all should have a interests section. (Yes, I do know that Word isn't proof. I'm just showing what is being presented in one of the more common places to produce a resume.)

[kingfisher]

If your teach won't see the light, I think the provost would be the one to talk to next.

Also, on a resume I'd say "Fitness" instead of "Weightlifting" because to the general public it conveys a sense of someone who takes care of themself and is motivated, rather than someone who is a meathead.

Not that there's anything wrong with being a meathead, mind. It's just that most people don't understand weightlifting at all.

[Anthony]

"Weightlifting" is a sport that involves 1) Clean & Jerk 2) Snatch. That's it.

Everything else is "weight lifting."

[Progress]

Some HR reps and/or hiring partners at firms where I have been applying have recommended a hobbies and interests section as part of the resume. Personally, when I do put something like this on my resume I leave it more ambiguous like words such as "fitness" or "weight training."

But I don't understand, if you had it as two words, how could you go wrong?

[smokinHawk]

if the teacher wont change your grade do what i didnt when a teach failed me for bad reason once, go out and flip his car, when he sees it on its side or roof he'll think twice before being such a jerk.

[DaveG]

Why are you talking about weight lifting on your resume?

The professor is a believer in connecting with the person looking at the resume. A great way to do that is with your hobbies/interests. He got his current job by connecting with the president of the university with what he put under interests. Our book also suggests one, although only if it doesn't make the resume spill over to another page. He wanted an interests section, so I gave him one.

Then it's fair game in my books.
Not giving out many A's is a good thing....it means you actually earned it when you get one

I agree. I just have issue when a professor tries to make it impossible for the sake of being hard. In classes where everyone ends up with an A, I really question the value of the course. It's likely nobody learned a damn thing in the class.

"Weightlifting" is a sport that involves 1) Clean & Jerk 2) Snatch. That's it.

Everything else is "weight lifting."

Thanks very much for the input Anthony! That's exactly what I wanted to know.

if the teacher wont change your grade do what i didnt when a teach failed me for bad reason once, go out and flip his car, when he sees it on its side or roof he'll think twice before being such a jerk.

He rides a bike... that would just be too easy! :evillaugh

[DaveG]

I talked with the prof after class for a few minutes. It took a bit of convincing, but he agreed, and changed my grade. Turns out, it was a really good thing I talked to him because he didn't have a grade written down for me at all!

[Neil]

Good to hear. Congrats on the A.