The Spelling Thread

Quick question: how do I write 24/7 in a story? Will the numerals suffice, or should more formal spelling be used?

anonymouse

Just bumping this back to the top...

as a reader, i find the numerals quite acceptable. it is the accepted practise elsewhere as far as i have seen. i would go with it.

yours blu

24/7 looks good to me

I think you should think of your intended audience. If it's a bunch of pervs, (ie us on the forum) who are allready deep into the lingo then 24/7 is fine. But if you've got plans for a wider circulation I would go for something more descriptive and less cryptic.

I can imagine that a lot of the readers on the library are new to the scene, or completly out of it and need some explanation.

Thanks one and all.

On the other hand... cryptic can be good. Anthony Burgess virtually created a complete patois for Clockwork Orange

Burgess did indeed. A mix of Cockney rhyming slang and Russian gobbledegook, iirc?

My feeling is that the expression (24/7) is common enough -- I've heard politicians use it, and enough others to think the expression has entered into 'common usage'.

I've also had another thought since first posting: 24/7 as numerals has precedence in usage with things such as the 1960s in the context of music. I personally cringe whenever a politician says 'twenty-four-seven' but it's always reported in print news as 24/7. I think I'll take my cue from that.

anonymouse

Found this little ditty for your consideration and amusement.
--------------------------------

I have a spelling chequer,

It came with my pea see,

It plane lee marks four my revue,

Miss takes I can knot sea.

I've run this poem threw it,

I'm shore your pleased to no,

It's perfect in every weigh,

My chequer tolled me sew.

What a wonderful ditty!