Linguist Finds "Ombuds" Usage Shifting Slowly

Over at the Language Log, a notable linguist concludes that the usage of Ombudsman and its alternatives vary widely and is in a state of flux. In general, Arnold M. Zwicky, a Visiting Professor of Linguistics at Stanford University and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at Ohio State University, finds that American educational and research institutions have shifted heavily to Ombuds Office in place of Ombudsman's Office. Dictionaries, however, do not reflect this change. He personally finds Ombuds "on the bizarre side, but still interpretable," believes that "after a decade or so it will seem unremarkable." (Language Log.)