Seeking Grammar Police Ruling - Typo's

[kempermentor]

> bboyminn:
> 
> But that is my very point, I'm not saying that "'s" 
> pluralizes anything. I'm saying it /contracts/ a phrase
> already ending in "s"; 'TYPOgraphical errorS'. 
 
 > Magpie:
 > But the phrase doesn't end in an s unless it's plural. 
 > Typo is short for TYPOgraphical error. So typo is the 
 > abbreviation and typos makes that short form plural.
 
> > Geoff:
> > I would agree with Magpie on this one. Just to make my point,
> > in a recent post, I used a couple of abbreviated English words
> > which are accepted as the norm.... vet and exam. Their 
> > universally accepted plural forms are vets and exams.
> >

> bboyminn:
> 
> But just because something is accepted as universal style,
> doesn't mean other methods are wrong. Style guides are just
> that 'guides'. Style guides say that ATM and FBI are acceptable
> form, but that doesn't mean A.T.M. and F.B.I. are incorrect.
> ATM and FBI are /acceptable/, but that doesn't mean other
> forms are not also acceptable. 
> 
> The only question at hand, regardless of common or acceptable
> style, is whether "typo's" forms a valid contraction for the
> already plural 'TYPOgraphical errorS'?
> 
> It doesn't matter that typos is the common informal plural
> of typo. What matters is whether I have formed a valid
> contraction. 
> 
> Are their hard and fast rules for contractions in informal 
> speech (or writing)?


Kemper now:
I don't think their are hard/fast rules for informal speech/writing so
long as you are understood. i cann mspell most of ths sntenc nd u cn
stl undrsand me... though it might take a double read. So, I'm sure no
one was confused with using the apostrophe.

That said, I think "typo's" is wrong.  The trouble with your example
is that it is a two word phrase.  "Vets", "exams", "gov't", and
"int'l" are not great examples against "typo's".  But I think "BLT" is
as it is short for "Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich".  The
abbreviated plural of "Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches",
according to Random House, is BLTs.  Though, of course, no one would
be confused if you wrote, "I had five BLT's for lunch... I feel a
kinda bloaty."   

The apostrophe might not be acceptable or valid, but who cares? 

fwiw
Kemper