Ebakorrapääluste

Ebakorrapääluste is a coined term used in Estonian-language discussions to describe irregular or inconsistent heading formatting in text. It denotes a phenomenon where document headings display non-uniform capitalization, typography, or hierarchical levels within a single work, particularly in multi-author, crowd-sourced, or automated content. The concept is descriptive and non-normative, and it is not part of official editorial style guides.

Origins and usage: The term has appeared in online forums and language blogs since the 2010s as a light-hearted label for editorial sloppiness. It is often invoked in conversations about maintaining consistency in collaborative writing platforms and content management systems.

Etymology and scope: Ebakorrapääluste is a neologism built from Estonian morphemes. The prefix eba- conveys negation or absence, while the second element points to headings or top-level sections. The term captures the absence of a uniform structure rather than a single error type, covering issues such as inconsistent capitalization, mismatched heading levels (for example, mixing levels in the same document), and irregular application of typographic styles.

See also: Typography, Editorial style, Estonian language.