Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas G. Brown
John,
Probably the preferred spelling is "'till". In my geologic writing, "till" has a very specific meaning. I always have written "until" in any prose I have done. I think Miss Webber (who recalled the Lizzie Borden poem from her childhood, when it was news) in second grade taught me to write "'til", in the same sense as "'twas" and "'tis". But, Miss Webber has been in the ground for over 40 years. So, if I write "'til" as "'till" , I guess she will not smack me aside the head with a ruler.
Thanks for your appreciation. I probably have listened to too much country music on the radio. Fourteeners can become addictive.
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Incidentally, I saw it spelt `TILL (with that odd, backward apostrophe [or has it a special name?]) in the 'Nemi' cartoon strip (which I love) by Lise, in Monday's Metro [free daily newspaper on UK buses and trains].
May I claim a prize as picky pedant of the week?