Date:    Sun, 21 Jun 1998 14:03:42 -0500
<br>From:    "Donald M. Lance" <engdl[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SHOWME.MISSOURI.EDU>
<br>Subject: Re: plural's - a new development?
<br>
<br>>From Bryan Gick, Thu, 18 Jun 1998 00:52:21:
<br>
<br>>I've been noticing something for the last few months that I can't ignore
<br>>anymore: Lots of people seem to be using the orthographic apostrophe-s
<br>>plural only after (orthographic?) vowels! A text will typically have lots
<br>>and lots of standard -s plurals with one or two -'s ones tossed in. So
<br>>far, all and only those words ending in a, o and i get -'s, and I haven't
<br>>found any final u's or syllabic (non-silent) e's from people who do this.
<br>>
<br>>Examples - Here's the grand total of -'s plurals I've seen since I started
<br>>noting them (omitting proper nouns, abbreviations and acronyms):
<br>>
<br>>1. In an insect repellent ad (http://www.outdoor-adventures.com/anglers/
<br>>   forums/ontbuysell/messages/463.htm):
<br>>-'s: mosquito's (x3), patio's
<br>>-s:  bugs, insects, lotions, sprays, humans, animals, waves, decks, doors,
<br>>     wholesalers, distributors.
<br>>
<br>>2. Web page for a renovations company (http://www.eagle123.com/Patio.htm):
<br>>-'s: patio's
<br>>-s:  renovations, carports (x2), enclosures (x2), covers, rooms.
<br>>
<br>>3. Local air service webpage
<br>>   (http://www.akcache.com/bettleslodge/index.html):
<br>>-'s: jacuzzi's
<br>>-s:  languages, places, amenities, rooms, pilots, floats, adventures,
<br>>     years, maps, rafts, canoes, stoves, bags, trips (x3), rates.
<br>>
<br>>4. Personal email from a 13-year-old family member:
<br>>-'s: extra's
<br>>-s:  guys (x2), rides
<br>>
<br>>5. Department store poster ad (women's "Sunsations" bathing suits):
<br>>-'s: bra's
<br>>-s:  contours, ruffles, colors, prints, stripes...[there were more but I
<br>>     stopped transcribing].
<br>>
<br>>So, am I losing my mind?
<br>
<br>Maybe they use apostrophes in words to which they want to draw special
<br>attention.  The salient insect is the mosquito, not just any bug.  And it's
<br>people who sit on the patio that need the bug spray most.  ??
<br>
<br>Like using quotation marks to draw attention in signs when no one is being
<br>quoted:
<br>
<br>"Patio Doors"
<br>Special bargain price
<br>Available thru Thursday
<br>Come by "today"
<br>
<br>Not totally random behavior.
<br>
<br>DMLance
<br>