Usage
Q. I have often disliked authors in the habit of introducing a statement with “Firstly” or “Secondly,” and so on. Are there any good rules on this or should it be banished from usage?
A. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (which Chicago follows) seems just fine with “firstly,” and “secondly.” And according to this discussion at a Random House Web site http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20010629 , they are perfectly pedigreed adverbs. So I guess you’ll have to find another reason for disliking authors.
