Further OCD Request

BPRoberts · **on:** February 17, 2026, 09:28:59 PM

Per The Chicago Manual of Style this subforum should be styled as "Qs and As" or "Q and As". I believe that "Q's and A's" implies possession.

We should sell our proofreading services to others forums and start cleaning them up, too.

Huntsman · **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2026, 10:21:47 PM

Oh my goodness - I can see we have started something here.

But you are correct - This board should be entitled 'Qs and As'

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2026, 02:23:10 AM

If you are considering the only reason for the apostrophe is to denote ownership, you are correct.

However, the apostrophe is often used to connect things, such as in contractions like can't or won't, in which it joins two words. It is often used in Sci Fi to join letters/words/sounds that wouldn't ordinarily go together, such as Teal'C or the Goa'Uld in Stargate, L'rrr, Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 and his wife, N'd N'd.

It is also well known for pluralizing letters, as in the Oakland Atheletics baseball team, which is shortened (as any baseball fan knows) to the A's.

To paraphrase Number 1 at the Central Bureaucracy, you are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct.

But, the forum is also correct, in that it can be done either way, and both ways are technically correct.

However, as you have mentioned it, and we are a big fan of supporting members here, I have changed it for you and removed the apostrophes, which will likely encourage one of our resident smartasses to start a similar OCD thread saying there should be apostrophes in that forum title.

Def

Huntsman · **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2026, 04:16:53 AM

Hmmm

I might have to retract my (smartass

) comment above

You are right boss, the apostrophe could denote the missing 'uestion' and 'nswer' letters from the title.

I guess it depends if you regard a 'Q' and an 'A' as standalone 'words' in their own right, as opposed to contractions/abbreviations!

For what it's worth, as resident pedant (

), I do think how it is now is better!!

Thanks Grant

PS. We could remove all debate and entitle the board either 'Q and A' alternatively 'Questions and Answers'