Someone made that typo recently, “Manuel” for “Manual,” and how I wish there really were a Chicago Manuel of Style.
“Say, Manuel, do I hyphenate this or not?”
“Well, it depends.”
“Yes or no, Manuel. Geez. Why do you always have to make everything so hard?”
“Well that’s because style is not a “yes” or a “no,” my friend. Style is feeling. Style is mystery. Style is life. Tell me. Where does this hyphenation occur? Is it an adverb that ends in ‘ly’? Is there an abbreviation involved? Is there a number or ordinal? Do not roll your eyes. Do not sigh. These details matter to style and so they matter to me. Share them and then together we shall decide whether to hyphenate or not.”