Google defends grammatical howler that is +1's

YES WE CARE – good grammar is what separates us from the animals. If you don’t know how to use an apostrophe it’s ok – it only takes a moment to learn.

But then Google’s +1 came along and now threatens to topple the high horses of all us grammar freaks. All of a sudden it’s +1’s, +1’d, and +1’ing. Reassuringly, a host of people have seen it fit to write to Google about this serious problem. Google has now responded:

“It’s true that usually you’d use apostrophes with possessives (Brett’s surfboard) or when you’re removing letters to create a contraction (the quick brown fox jumped o’er the river). But it’s also acceptable to use an apostrophe to add clarity and make sure people read words as intended – for example, when your school teacher tells you to mind your p’s and q’s (as opposed to your ps and qs).”

Hm. It’s not right, but Google has a point when saying this manner of use does tend to happen. So if this is how it’s going to have to be then FINE, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it.

*Grumble*