diff --git a/bin/status2html.sh b/bin/status2html.sh
index efb6ce47de..4e99973998 100755
--- a/bin/status2html.sh
+++ b/bin/status2html.sh
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ shopt -s globstar	# enable ** to match all files and zero or more directories an
 
 # set variables referenced in the usage message
 #
-export VERSION="1.4.4 2024-12-29"
+export VERSION="1.4.5 2024-12-31"
 NAME=$(basename "$0")
 export NAME
 export V_FLAG=0
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ esac
     # write status of the contest
     #
     case "$CONTEST_STATUS" in
-    pending) echo "# The IOCCC is not yet open"
+    pending) echo "# The IOCCC is pending"
 	echo
         echo "While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC."
         echo
diff --git a/inc/guidelines.pending.hdr b/inc/guidelines.pending.hdr
index e52aaeba51..d02e90fd22 100644
--- a/inc/guidelines.pending.hdr
+++ b/inc/guidelines.pending.hdr
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ about these guidelines. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especiall
 FAQ on "[how to enter the IOCCC](../faq.html#enter)".
 
 
-# The IOCCC is not yet open
+# The IOCCC is pending
 
-While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
+While the IOCCC is not open yet, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
 
 Comments and suggestions on these preliminary guidelines are welcome.  See the
 [FAQ](../faq.html#feedback) for how to suggest, correct or provide feedback
diff --git a/inc/rules.pending.hdr b/inc/rules.pending.hdr
index bed7eeca7d..ac1ae35ea5 100644
--- a/inc/rules.pending.hdr
+++ b/inc/rules.pending.hdr
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on "[how to enter the IOCCC](../faq.html#enter)".
 
 
-# The IOCCC is not yet open
+# The IOCCC is pending
 
 While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
 
diff --git a/next/guidelines.html b/next/guidelines.html
index ebdca44c7b..19a6547cc1 100644
--- a/next/guidelines.html
+++ b/next/guidelines.html
@@ -439,8 +439,8 @@ <h1 id="warning-these-guidelines-are-tentative">WARNING: These guidelines are TE
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#question">about asking questions</a>”
 about these guidelines. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#enter">how to enter the IOCCC</a>”.</p>
-<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-not-yet-open">The IOCCC is not yet open</h1>
-<p>While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.</p>
+<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-pending">The IOCCC is pending</h1>
+<p>While the IOCCC is not open yet, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.</p>
 <p>Comments and suggestions on these preliminary guidelines are welcome. See the
 <a href="../faq.html#feedback">FAQ</a> for how to suggest, correct or provide feedback
 about thse guidelines.</p>
diff --git a/next/guidelines.md b/next/guidelines.md
index 0a0abdda2b..56bac82775 100644
--- a/next/guidelines.md
+++ b/next/guidelines.md
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ about these guidelines. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especiall
 FAQ on "[how to enter the IOCCC](../faq.html#enter)".
 
 
-# The IOCCC is not yet open
+# The IOCCC is pending
 
-While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
+While the IOCCC is not open yet, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
 
 Comments and suggestions on these preliminary guidelines are welcome.  See the
 [FAQ](../faq.html#feedback) for how to suggest, correct or provide feedback
diff --git a/next/rules.html b/next/rules.html
index a6a94707fc..b24fa22977 100644
--- a/next/rules.html
+++ b/next/rules.html
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ <h1 id="warning-these-rules-are-tentative">WARNING: These rules are TENTATIVE</h
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#question">about asking questions</a>”
 about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on “<a href="../faq.html#enter">how to enter the IOCCC</a>”.</p>
-<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-not-yet-open">The IOCCC is not yet open</h1>
+<h1 id="the-ioccc-is-pending">The IOCCC is pending</h1>
 <p>While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.</p>
 <p>Comments and suggestions on these preliminary rules are welcome. See the
 <a href="../faq.html#feedback">FAQ</a> for how to suggest, correct or provide feedback
@@ -942,7 +942,7 @@ <h3 id="tldr-rule-17---use-mkiocccentry1">TL;DR Rule 17 - Use <code>mkiocccentry
 conforms to <a href="#rule17">Rule 17</a>.
 </p>
 <p class="leftbar">
-Each above mentioned tools has a <code>-h</code> option that provides command
+Each above mentioned tool has a <code>-h</code> option that provides command
 line help. For additional details, see the tools’ man pages and the
 <a href="guidelines.html">guidelines</a>.
 </p>
diff --git a/next/rules.md b/next/rules.md
index 7145d5938b..6749c642cf 100644
--- a/next/rules.md
+++ b/next/rules.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ about these rules. You might also find the FAQ in general useful, especially the
 FAQ on "[how to enter the IOCCC](../faq.html#enter)".
 
 
-# The IOCCC is not yet open
+# The IOCCC is pending
 
 While the IOCCC is not open now, there is a tentative opening date for the next IOCCC.
 
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ conforms to [Rule 17](#rule17).
 </p>
 
 <p class="leftbar">
-Each above mentioned tools has a `-h` option that provides command
+Each above mentioned tool has a `-h` option that provides command
 line help.  For additional details, see the tools' man pages and the
 [guidelines](guidelines.html).
 </p>