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Archiver > TMG > 2001-04 > 0986251368


From: bob gillis <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Periods, commas, semicolons, inside or outside
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 18:42:48 -0400
References: <200104020709_MC2-CB01-D48B@compuserve.com>


I think the thread is on punctuation and not on vocabulary.

One of my pet peeves is why we have to put a period, ., after an
abbreviation when almost all abbreviations will not be confused with a
word.

Back in the 17th and 18th centuries abbreviations were hand written with
the last letter in superscript. I haven't looked at any books of that
period recently although a 1799 newspaper I have does use periods after
abbreviations: GEO. WASHINGTON, &c.Oct.. I don't use periods after
abbreviations or initials, spelling out Saint etc.

bob gillis

Karla Huebner wrote:
>
> Written language changes more slowly than spoken, and that doesn't even
> address the issue of current slang, which changes constantly.
>
> I personally like having a standard, slowly changing written language that
> has room for occasional infusions of colloquialism and slang.
>
> By the way, it's not that long ago that people wrote "today" as "to-day."
>
> Karla
>
> Message text written by INTERNET:
> >
> If what you write today is clear by current standards of style and format,
> even if unconventional, then I have no quarrel with it. But I don't find
> being unconventional to be necessary to tell a cracking good story.
>
> Darrell
> <

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