op-ed
Meaning
A piece of writing, typically in a newspaper or magazine, that expresses the personal opinion of the author and is not an official editorial of the publication.
Structure
Usage
The retired diplomat wrote a compelling op-ed arguing for renewed diplomatic engagement.
Her op-ed on climate policy sparked a nationwide debate.
The newspaper reserves its right to edit submitted op-eds for length and clarity.
Etymology
The term "op-ed" is a modern journalistic abbreviation originating in the 1970s at the New York Times. It is a clipped compound formed from "opposite the editorial page," describing the physical location in the newspaper where these opinion pieces were traditionally featured. The logic is purely positional and functional, with "op-" representing 'opposite' and "-ed" representing 'editorial (page)'. Over time, the meaning shifted from describing a page's location to defining the genre of writing found there, regardless of its physical placement in modern publications.
Analysis
- op: An abbreviation of 'opposite', from Latin 'oppositus', meaning 'set against'. In this compound, it functions as a clipped form indicating placement. - ed: An abbreviation of 'editorial', from Latin 'editor', meaning 'one who puts forth'. In this compound, it functions as a clipped form denoting the type of content.