[OT] Rogue apostrophes. Was "Burgler proof screws, nuts n' bolts ?"

["Steve Morgan" <smorgo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It is a place of learning, though; often about topics other than home
automation.

In general, I'm reasonably good with apostrophes. The one circumstance that
I always have problems with is when pluralising abbreviations. I have a
tendency to put an apostrophe after the abbreviation, such as MOT's. I'm
sure it's not right, but MOTs just doesn't look right. If you treat the
apostrophe as replacing letters in the original text that's being
abbreviated, then it might be OK. I'm so confused :-(

Any opinions?=20

Steve

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx]=20
> On Behalf Of Mal Lansell
> Sent: 03 June 2006 17:59
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Re: Burgler proof screws, nuts n' bolts ?
>=20
> Nick,
>=20
> This a home automation group, not a school.
>=20
> Mal
>=20
>=20
> Nick wrote:
>=20
> >Noughtomate, please don't take this the wrong way, I am just=20
> trying to=20
> >understand why people write things the way they do (have a look
at=20
> >www.englishniggles.org). So.....
> >
> >=20=20
> >
> >>The 43" plasma's finally arrived
> >>=20=20=20=20
> >>
> >
> >means "plasma has", so using the apostrophe to denote=20
> missing letters -=20
> >fine.
> >
> >=20=20
> >
> >>and I'm now looking for wall brackets.
> >>=20=20=20=20
> >>
> >
> >means "I am", so the same again - fine.
> >
> >=20=20
> >
> >>I hear that Plasma's are the #1 sought after item
> >>=20=20=20=20
> >>
> >
> >No letters missing, just a plural, so I would think, should be=20
> >"Plasmas" (or "plasmas" which is another
debate altogether).
> >
> >=20=20
> >
> >>Are there any manufacturers that can provide proprietary=20
> screw's with=20
> >>a unique head
> >>=20=20=20=20
> >>
> >
> >Just a plural again, so "screws".  Now, the killer:
> >
> >=20=20
> >
> >>but I assume I'd need nut's and bolts as well.=20
> >>=20=20=20=20
> >>
> >
> >"I would", so that's ok.  Bolts is a plural, so that's
fine.=20
>  But, why=20
> >does nuts get an apostrophe while bolts doesn't?
> >
> >As I said, just trying to understand the thought process=20
> that people go=20
> >through.  Not picking on you - it was a good example!!
> >
> >:-)
> >
> >Nick