Why can't they get apostrophes right on teevee?

[evlbstrd]

I always see foot marks. A Daily Show just did it three times.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear evlbstrd!

I'm not sure what you mean...foot marks?

This is related to apostrophes how?

:shrug:

[evlbstrd]

2. My dear Peggy!

It's a typography thing.

Here's an apostrophe:


Here's a foot mark, as in the measurement:

'

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. So, if I'm reading you correctly...

The correct symbol is not being used?

I think that must be it....

Tell me if I'm still wrong!

:hi:

[evlbstrd]

4. You've got it.

The pretty curly apostrophe is being substituted with the plain utilitarian foot mark. In print that's a big no-no and you'll rarely see it. But it's on teevee all the time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Glad to know I was able to figure it out!

So....how are you?

The kids?

And like that?

And let me know if you'd rather talk somewhere else...or not at all...

[evlbstrd]

8. Things are good.

Changing a lot, but for the good. evlspwn is almost done with junior college and shopping for a BFA program. evjr is eighteen and still searching and living with me. We're moving out of our huge house and into a smaller one, saving money and work. Thanks for asking!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I am glad to hear it...

:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. But, isn't the apostrophe different in appearance dependent upon the font used?

:shrug:

[evlbstrd]

9. Sometimes.

Usually in sans serif faces. But not very often at all if it's a well designed typeface.

[DS1]

7. I'm going to guess that the avid system takes special characters just like html does

so people cop out and put a ' or a " where a “ or whatever is needed.

In fact, the next time I run into the owner of Avid, I'll ask him about it. Yes, I run into the owner of Avid on a regular basis.

[evlbstrd]

12. Laziness.

I figured ASCII or unicode. Either way, they have the right characters available.

[Kutjara]

11. I'm just happy when they know WHERE to put the apostrophes.

I've seen so many apostrophes used for plurals on TV that I'm sure it'll end up being an accepted part of Standard English in a few more years.

[evlbstrd]

13. Sad.

They'll change the rules to make it easier to deal with. Just put your punctuation wherever you want. We'll decipher it eventually.

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. There's an informercial for some 'guaranteed' car loan company

that probably charges like 50 percent interest. It goes through the usual spiel — "Bad credit? Divorce? Bankruptcy?" Then, in big, bold, italic letters it says



Your
Approved!

[Kutjara]

15. Depressing, isn't it?

The Idiocracy creeps ever closer.