G. wrote:
On Mon, 10 Jul 2017, grok (caleb vines) wrote:
Internet messaging standards (RFC 2822) allow up to 998 characters in
a subject line. Gmail and other web clients usually truncate around
255. Considering that, is allowing report or announcement text in the
subject line a precedent we're okay with? Is there other precedent to
guide us on that subject? (pun DEFINITELY intended)
Subject lines are "weak" in terms of effect and need message-body
provided context to function. Some principles (not looking up the
precedents right now, but I can if need be):
If the message body disagrees with the subject line, the message
body always wins.
Subject lines can be "quoted for context" in message body. For
example, you can say in the message body "I CFJ on the statement in
the Subject" and have it work. But you can't have a blank message
body with "I CFJ on...X" in the Subject and have it work.
I'd be interested in seeing the CFJ/whatever behind that last one,
because I don't remember it. What I do sorta remember is, if (a) the
body by itself is ambiguous/confusing but (b) its intent becomes clear
if you also look at the subject, then the subject is allowed to
provide that clarification.
