Apostrophes

[feralgirl]

I am an English teacher and my faculty were debating the use of apostrophes in numbers such as the 1980s. I am of the opinion that 80s is correct and 80's is incorrect, since it's a pluralisation and therefore does not require an aopstrophe (and also because Fowler says so).

However two of my colleagues jumped on me claiming that it's a "stylistic thing" and that 80's is perfectly correct as it's fine to use an apostrophe to separate numbers and letters. One cited her previous employment as a magazine subeditor and the other cited Lynn Truss who apparently thinks that 80's is OK (it's a while since I read Eats, Shoots and Leaves; I can't remember).

In my family, Fowler's word is law so my questions are these:

1. Who was right, my colleagues or me?
2. More importantly, in Pedants' Top Trumps, who scores higher; Truss or Fowler?

I don't know who wins Top Trumps but you are right.

I would say definitely no to apostrophes after numbers.

Just as I would say no to apostrophes after abbreviations - eg: MOT's would be a no from me.

And I think Fowler trumps Truss

Good. My ex-subediting colleague also thought that GCSE's was OK. She did live in the States for a while; do they have different laws over there?

I agree with you. E.g. Fashion in the 80s. 80's fashion. Can't believe Lynn Truss thinks otherwise

Fowler definitely trumps Truss. It does have to be the most current edition though (obviously)

Ooh, mine's a few years old . Not sure if it's the latest ed.

I'm still right though

Fowler gets my vote.

It certainly is a "stylistic thing" but it's the intrusive apostrophe that's stylistic (I wonder, as an aside, whether that can be considered to be a word at all) as opposed to correct English usage- just like "chip's", "boot's" and- wait for it- this is a direct quote from someone in middle management at BBC Worldwide...

"alway's"

you couldn't make it up, and you most certainly wouldn't want to.