http://metachat.org/index.php?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 00:34:40 +0000 c58957@http://metachat.org oooh TV's and VCR's, huh? yike's. http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58957 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 00:37:40 +0000 c58961@http://metachat.org God damn it. Seriously, this is dumb! http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58961 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 00:54:27 +0000 c58970@http://metachat.org Actually, isn't it common to use an apostrophe when pluaralizing acronyms? The reasoning is that it's neccessary to seperate the s from the letters that denote words in order to avoid confusion. http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58970 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:01:39 +0000 c58972@http://metachat.org Nope, just looked it up. Seems that one only uses an apostrophe to denote a plural in the case of something like "p's and q's". http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58972 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:04:34 +0000 c58973@http://metachat.org Don't they edit anymore at the NY Times? Don't they care about language? sheesh. http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58973 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:10:19 +0000 c58977@http://metachat.org According to this source, use of apostrophes in plural acronyms is an unusual modern use, and many people object to it. I would think the NY Times would have gone the traditional route. this source, use of apostrophes in plural acronyms is an unusual modern use, and many people object to it. I would think the NY Times would have gone the traditional route. ]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58977 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:10:32 +0000 c58978@http://metachat.org My britches are indeed on fire. This reminds me of when I was 18. I took the AP English test -- did as good as you can do, much to my surprise. This 17-year-old whelp I worked with was studying for the same test. I wrote a sign this way (I dunno what the abbreviation was, but "TV's" was the style I used). Man, he was aghast! 'How can you get a 5 on the AP English test and make this horrible mistake!' It was funny. The apostrophe itself, in the possessive use, is actually descended from a mistake. Oh, the irony.
This reminds me of when I was 18. I took the AP English test -- did as good as you can do, much to my surprise. This 17-year-old whelp I worked with was studying for the same test.

I wrote a sign this way (I dunno what the abbreviation was, but "TV's" was the style I used). Man, he was aghast! 'How can you get a 5 on the AP English test and make this horrible mistake!'

It was funny. The apostrophe itself, in the possessive use, is actually descended from a mistake. Oh, the irony.]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58978 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:18:27 +0000 c58981@http://metachat.org It's not a mistake (or, I mean, it's intentional). The NYT has the errant apostrophe in its style guide. I remember reading an article (in the NYT) about it once. Maybe it was a letter to the editor. Anyway, they know it's not standard usage, and they stand by it, but for the life of me i can't figure out wrong. I mean, basically, it's just wrong.
I mean, basically, it's just wrong.]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58981 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:19:01 +0000 c58982@http://metachat.org That is the NYT style. I think it is dumb too. http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58982 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:23:25 +0000 c58983@http://metachat.org For all intensive purposes it dont matter. Your over rot. http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58983 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:26:46 +0000 c58985@http://metachat.org It was with resigned acknowledgement that Mr. Grouse's comments were confirmed. The wayward apostrophe placement has been New York Times policy for as long as any number of individuals can be bothered to remember. Scallywags. It was with resigned acknowledgement that Mr. Grouse's comments were confirmed. The wayward apostrophe placement has been New York Times policy for as long as any number of individuals can be bothered to remember. Scallywags.]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58985 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 01:39:01 +0000 c58986@http://metachat.org ROFL's. ROFL's. ]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c58986 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 05:34:51 +0000 c59034@http://metachat.org I prefer not to use it myself, but I don't think it's an egregious misuse. arse_hat wins.
arse_hat wins.]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2005/11/18/this_just_burns_my_britches#c59034