English Grammar and Usage
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Hyphens serve many purposes.

One word, two or hyphenated?[]

Sometimes a phrase becomes so common that it eventually becomes a single, commonly accepted word. Usually it begins as two words used together frequently, for example, dish washer. Often the two words are then joined with a hyphen, like water-bed. Over time the words may eventually join to become a compound word such as dish-washer becoming dishwasher. Sometimes words go the other way too, and what was a compound or hyphenated word becomes separate. [1][2]

  1. The Grammar Curmudgeon on Hyphenated Words: A Guide
  2. Get It Write on Compound Words: When to Hyphenate
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