569. But irregular phrase-signs must oft-times be invented by the stenographer during the course of note-taking. Such invention is generally a step-by-step process. Rarely does the reporter, on the spur of the moment, take a single leap from the too cumbrous regular sign to an irregular representation absolutely adequate and satisfactory. More often these special signs are developed gradually, the method of representation becoming shorter and

shorter as the verbal combination continues to recur. The first time a particular word group is encountered, the reporter may not phrase it at all, or a phrase-form constructed according to regular methods may suggest itself. But, as the speech proceeds, and as the word-group, repeated from time to time, is spoken with increasing rapidity, the regularly constructed sign seems too cumbrous. So, without effort of thought - by instantaneous suggestion, as it were, for in such cases there is no time for deliberation - a sign is written which does not follow any regular phrasing rules; and this sign, as the speech proceeds, may give place to another and another, each more abridged than its predecessor, until the utmost brevity is attained.