There's a sucker born every minute - Phineas T. Barnum
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Google reveals shocking grammar rules for Google+
INTERNET JACK OF ALL TRADES Google has released its highly-anticipated spelling conventions for referring to the +1 feature of its Google+ social network, which should keep grammar fanatics happy.
Google delivered the shocking revelation that +1 is actually both a noun and a verb, in keeping with how we tend to refer to Google as both a company and a search engine, while we google ways to criticise the atrocious grammar of our friends.
The INQUIRER attended lectures by the grammarians at Google, where we learned that the proper and acceptable use of +1 is to employ an apostrophe for variations of the verb, such as Bob +1's a post, Bob +1'd that video, and Bob is +1'ing several things as we speak.
Technically this is incorrect use of English, as the apostrophe is usually reserved for a contraction to indicate a missing letter or letters, or the possessive case, when we're talking about, for example, Bob's collective +1's, that is, those that belong to him.
But Google's tireless grammarians discovered that there was potential for a lack of clarity in using +1s, +1d, +1ing, and so on, particularly when it comes to certain fonts which show the number '1' as an 'l', which would make these neo-terms +ls, +ld and +ling. That would be rather confusing.
The same approach is used in other parts of English when clarity takes precedence over technicalities, according to Google. "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)," it noted. We pay special attention to these two letters in our articles to this day.
While snoozing through our grammar lessons, The INQUIRER team dreamed of a world where social networks are riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, some even willfully so. We awoke from this nightmare to find that Google+ hasn't completely debased the English language yet, primarily because there's not many people on it so far.
The grammatically challenged amongst us have wistfully pointed out that Facebook's 'Like' button is so much simpler. µ
Tags: Google
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You wrote that "Technically this is incorrect use of English, as the apostrophe is usually reserved for a contraction to indicate a missing letter or letters, or the possessive case" -- but there's a tricky word in there: "usually". You listed the two most common uses of the apostrophe, but the use of the apostrophe for making the plural of a non-standard noun is perfectly standard; see http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/preposterous-apostrophes-ii-pluralization/
That should read : the grammatically-challenged.
Respect the hyphen !
The stupid suckers of Google keep on catering to utter nerds and social degenerates incapable of socializing and having sex with human beings, as this "rule" clearly demonstrates. Compared to them, even a social idiot like Mark Fuckerberg looks like a frat boy in the middle of a wild party.
If I apear to be, it's someone else.
If I were, then I suppose there would be a difference in meaning when I see something online and I like it, or when I "Like" it. So, how is that difference to be expressed? Or is it my own responsibility as a Face to "Like" everything that I like enough to "Like"?
I don't think I like that.
So can we also do "Plus one"
And another question: do primary school teacher need to get permission from google to teach math? And is there a license fee?
Oh Nik, where do I begin?
Firstly, you need to read Google's understanding of the appropriate use of apostrophes, because the "P's and Q's" quotation is based on the company's press release rather than The Inquirer's own attitudes towards grammar.
Secondly, I've never seen an instance where "anD" is acceptable.
Thirdly, why are you using more than one punctuation mark at the end of a sentence? Hang on; perhaps the fullstop that follows the question mark actually belonged at the end of your final sentence.
Fourthly, the link you provide is useless.
Thank you sir.
... Google-the-search-engine will finally add the ability to search for symbols such as + and '.
"...there ARE not too many people using it yet."
It is curious that in an article about bad grammar that the reporter falls into the same trap. What are P's anD Q's? Does he/she mean Ps & Qs. Perhaps a trip to this grammar site is in order?. http://www.grammarly.com/?q=grammar&gclid=CISBrKrJt6UCFc9a7AodKGU6Zg We understand that the Americans do it that way but I'm hoping that we have not fallen that far yet that we need to do it incorrectly also