spaces must be inserted around property commands?

[Mark Polesky]

NR 2.1.2 "Entering lyrics: Lyrics explained"

states...

Similarly, a period which follows an alphabetic sequence is 
included in the resulting string.  As a consequence, spaces 
must be inserted around property commands: do not write 

\override Score.LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic

but instead use 

\override Score . LyricText #'font-shape = #'italic

Is this true? If so, I've been doing it the wrong way all 
along! This is not mentioned in  4.1.4 "Tweaking methods:
\override command" which states...

The general syntax of this command is:

\override Context.LayoutObject #'layout-property = #value

Somebody clear me up! Thanks.
- Mark