There are mysteries in life, to be sure. Some are good to solve, to fully understand the answers. Others, I like to retain the mystery, maintain the wonder. Sometimes, the chaos, the un-knowing, is actually more fun than the answer.
I came upon this as I began a post about finishing/framing art. I began to stumble over “mat” and “matt” and “matte”. Between spellcheck, my limited knowledge, and personal grammar consciousness, I become torn.
Let’s begin with “matte”. I determine the “e” is silent, so are we led to “matt”? Also one of the “t”s is silent (the first one, or the second one?). So, does that, then, lead to “mat”? Do we split the elements and go with “mate” … no, I think that’s a wife, husband, or friend. Or do we trust and accept the “e” and “t”s as quiet-but-needed … keeping to “matte”?
I’m pretty sure there is a correct path here. However, I’m going to keep in the dark, by choice. I like the mystery here. Are we talking a window cut in paper, or the absence of gloss, or a short moniker for a guy named Mathew … or something else … ?
Here, then, is my compass-rose sentence:
“Matt made a photo print on non-glossy, matte paper … then he put it in a mat.”
Now, I know truth is truth, and sometimes we need to know it. If “mat”, “matt”, and “matte” are needed to be understood, I’ll refer you to what I always said when speaking as a graphic designer, as a graphic manager, and as a graphics teacher:
“Editors are your best friend!”
And, have fun!
otcarts.com 