Pat
In a word - yes! Correct grammar, or use of the English language, really *does* matter, but probably a great deal less on a site like this than on many others if it is to attract the splendid contributions it does on such a wide range of subjects, and from such a wide range of contributors.
On the one hand, one could argue that we should all know the correct way to do something, even if we subsequently reserve the right not to - rather like one's driving pre and post the driving test perhaps!
On the other hand, language evolves over the years, and we should not forget that Net Language has done just that, having started off as the language of researchers and students, full of in in-jokes and acronyms, and of course the asterisks, smileys and emoticons without which this site would not be complete.
So, in the words of Anon, "You pays your money, and you takes your choice"!
All that said, Ian, I'm sorry but (unusually) you lose on this one, and Chris R, Phil P, Pat (and I) win. Fowler's Modern English Usage (Revised third edition 1998) makes it quite clear that:
"Though once commonly used in the plural of abbreviations and numerals (QC's, the 1960's), the apostrophe is now best omitted in such circumstances: MAs, MPs, the 1980s, the three Rs, in twos and threes, except that it is normally used in contexts where its omission might possibly lead to confusion, e.g. dot your i's and cross your t's; there are three i's in inimical, the class of '61 (= 1961)."
KB - Well done on your 28 years' service, and what lies behind your thoughtful contributions - now I know why you post at such unsocial hours!
Mark - Well done on your deduction but, so far as your mention of KB's apostrophe is concerned, you're a wicked tease, CV *is* keeping you awake, or else you're :-P !
Ronnie
PS Scottish, and taught to speak *and* write English in Scotland!
PPS What's the Calcutta Cup!?
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Ronnie Courtney wrote:
>
>
> All that said, Ian, I'm sorry but (unusually) you lose on
> this one, and Chris R, Phil P, Pat (and I) win. Fowler's
> Modern English Usage (Revised third edition 1998) makes it
> quite clear that:
>
> "Though once commonly used in the plural of abbreviations and
> numerals (QC's, the 1960's), the apostrophe is now best
> omitted in such circumstances: MAs, MPs, the 1980s, the three
> Rs, in twos and threes, except that it is normally used in
> contexts where its omission might possibly lead to
> confusion, e.g. dot your i's and cross your t's; there are
> three i's in inimical, the class of '61 (= 1961)."
My head is both bloodied and bowed. :)
Damn language's evolving too quick for me ...
> PPS What's the Calcutta Cup!?
Want a new kicker? I'm sure I can find a local lad with impeccable scottish ancestry... (You seem to have down well with that NZ lad - his granny comes from where?)
BTW, I seem to recall a certain mr Jeffrey (sp?) getting into trouble for booting the trophy down Princess Street one night, after a night on the ale...
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Ian
It's not just the place-kicking (Surely Andy Irvine's genes must have been passed on to someone .... ) or the lack of a successor to that Mr Jeffrey (the "quicksolver" kicker) - the real sadness for Scotland so far as the "pseudo Scots" are concerned is that Jason Robinson allegedly has first generation dual nationality but, for some obscure reason, has chosen to play for England!
Regards, and hope your head is better.
Ronnie
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