The Spelling Thread

[anonymouse]

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

anonymouse

[anonymouse]

Just bumping this back to the top...

[J's blu]

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

[Warbaby1943]

24/7 looks good to me

[TomOfSweden]

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.

[anonymouse]

Thanks one and all.

[Ozme52]

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

[anonymouse]

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

[Ozme52]

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.

[Ruby]

What a wonderful ditty!