SIR: What is the correct way to write the plural of a proper name? It seems to me I recall being taught some 60 years ago that it should be written with an apostrophe - for example, the Tracy's live in Skaneateles. What is the current accepted usage? - Ione T.
ANSWER: It's the same as it has been for many years: You form the plural of the proper name the same way you form other plurals, and you don't use an apostrophe. You would say the Tracys live in Skaneateles, if that's where they really live. If the Jones family lives in Skaneateles, you would say the Joneses live there. If the Fox family lives there, you would say the Foxes live there. And so on. And whatever you do, don't put "the Smith's" on your mailbox, even if your family's name is Smith. Just put "the Smiths."SIR: Would you please repeat the answer to "I could care less" vs. "I couldn't care less"? I have friends arguing. - L.G.
ANSWER: It's very simple. If you really mean that you couldn't care less - in other words, that you just don't care - you should say "I couldn't care less." "I could care less" is almost always a cute and irritating way of saying that you couldn't, and it doesn't make much sense. Some people, determined to use the expression at all costs, insist that "I could care less" really means "I could care less, but I don't."
SIR: Is nothing sacred? I received a brochure advertising a file cabinet, and the copy read, "You know where they're at. . . ." It seems inexcusable. What do you think? - John H.
ANSWER: I think somebody strained too hard to be informal, and it's not because the phrase ends with a preposition. "You know what they're for" ends with a preposition, but it's all right. In the case you cited, the "at" is simply unnecessary. "You know where they are" would be much better, even for us colloquial hicks.
INNOCENT QUERY of the week, put by James H.
"In the summer I see this sign in many convenience stores: `Shirts and shoes must be worn.' Does this mean we don't have to wear pants?"
Send questions, comments, and good and bad examples to Lydel Sims, Watch Your Language, 366 S. Highland, Apt. 410, Memphis, TN 38111. If you quote a book, please give author, title and page number. Sorry, but questions can be answered only through this column.