you decline to write “firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” in favor of “first,” “second,” and “third,” not only are you saving letters but you can tell all your friends about this amazing thing called a flat adverb—an adverb that matches in form its sibling adjective, notably doesn’t end in -ly, and is 100 percent correct, which is why we’re allowed to say “Sleep tight,” “Drive safe,” and “Take it easy.” Though not in that order.
I knew nothing of a flat adverb. Doing more research now...
