Riversidean vs. Riversidian

Question

0Hi, this is my first post here, though I've been using these forums for a few months to find answers at work. (I'm an editor for a construction and engineering firm.) 02br02br00I am inclined to go with '-ean' for a number of reasons, but I can't seem to find anything definite on this.02br02br00Worse, my 'go to' when our style guide doesn't cover something is the Chicago Manual of Style... They seem to favor the -ean version, but their examples include 'Aristotelian'... which confuses me greatly because it's exactly the opposite of their explanation.02br02br00 I'd appreciate any response I can get.... I've got an author who insists that Riversidian is corrrect, and I can't let reports go out like that.  I just can't seem to find anything convincing enough to get it changed.0-

Feebs11 · Accepted Answer

0 Could I ask you to clarify what the word relates to?02br
00Is it derived from "riverside"? 0-

Shaved · Answer

0it referes to Riverside, California02br
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00 as in, Riversidean/ian sage scrub0-

BarbaraPA · Answer

0Philadelphian02br
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00Arcadian02br
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00Houstonian02br
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00I think the -ian for "resident of" is pretty well established. For the sage scrub, I would just use "Riversid."0-

Shaved · Answer

0none of your examples end in 'e'02br
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00 Boolean, etc...0-

BarbaraPA · Answer

0That is descriptive, not used to mean "a resident of." 02br
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00I would not use an adjective form, period. I would use "Riverside" as the descriptor.0-

Shaved · Answer

0it's the common name of the species... I can't get around the use of the word, otherwise I wouldn't have made the post02br
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00 I guess I'm looking for a rule that says when to use -ian and when to use -ean02br
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00I was relatively sure that the -ean is used when the root ends in 'e'0-

BarbaraPA · Answer

0Well, if it's a common name, then surely it must exist already? Why do you need to create a new name for it?02br
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00Ah:I've just seen two references on the state of California's Web site for Riverside sage scrub, and a heck of a lot for Riversidean as well as Riversidian.02br
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00There doesn't seem to be consensus on this at all. So does it it really matter?02br
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00And "ah" again - the -ean form seems to be more in use with more "educated" posts, based on a very quick review.02br
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00Okay, last edit, from 01a05000 02a00:02br
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01b00Riverside Lowlands Bioregion02b02br
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00The Riverside Lowlands Bioregion characterizes areas east of the Santa Ana Mountains Bioregion, south of the Riverside/San Bernardino County line, west of Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner, and Gilman Hot Springs, and north of the Riverside/San Diego County line. This bioregion encompasses Estelle Mountain, Lake Mathews, Reche Canyon/Badlands, the San Jacinto Valley, Gavilan Hills, Lakeview Mountains, and French Valley. The Riverside Lowlands Bioregion generally occurs at elevations below 2,000 feet and is characterized by Riversidean sage scrub and annual grasslands. The relatively arid climate is in part the result of the rain shadow effect cast by the Santa Ana Mountains. A high level of disturbance and urbanization is noted within this bioregion.0230hrefhttp://www.tlma.co.riverside.ca.us/mshcp/volume4/03.html

Shaved · Answer

0Fish and Wildlife Service calls it 'riversidian' and 'riversidean' in the same sentence sometimes.02br
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00 If the agencies responsible for keeping track of this stuff were consistent, I wouldn't be asking. The point is that I've got an editor saying -ean, and an author saying -ian. And I can't find anything worthy of settling the issue.02br
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00I understand the 'resident of' thing, but this is more of a 'found in/indigenous to' situation. 02br
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00Are there other situations where an 'e' is dropped from a proper noun in order to attach an '-ian' to it (to make it an adjective)?0-

BarbaraPA · Answer

1blockquote

01cite10shaved12cite12br
10The point is that I've got an editor saying -ean, and an author saying -ian. And I can't find anything worthy of settling the issue.12br
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10Sure you do - the editor overrules the writer when it's not an issue of fact. 12br
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10Why not just call it Alluvial sage scrub, and by-pass the issue?12br
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10In answer to your last question: 11i10Ode to a Grecian Urn12i10.12br
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12blockquote

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Shaved · Answer

0It really seems like there are no real conventions governing this..02br
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00I'm willing to accept any of the three as long as I can provide an explanation as to why. So far, I can't find anything that holds weight.02br
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00 So, I'm back at square 1, looking at government websites and trying to wrap my brain around why they are ok with so much inconsistency.0-

Riversidean vs. Riversidian

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