Boycotting and "nd" and "rd" and "th"

[Serena Casey]

This is just a pet peeve of mine. As a graphic designer, when given something with dates in it, I always take the "th" out, as in March 7th - 9th. (What would you call those letters, ordinal indicators or something?). The extra letters just take up space and compromise clarity, in my opinion.

Of course, there are ordinal-appropriate occasions :) but in most cases, like on a poster or an advertisement, they simply aren't necessary. I'm not sure why people insist on putting them everywhere.

That's all—just had to complain.

[Joycecwilliams]

I think it is because we were taught that in school. I was anyway. They aren't used in today's writings but there were. I don't use them since I now write for a paper.

[pdr]

21 is twenty one but 21st is twenty first.

43 is forty three but 43rd is forty third.

75 is seventy five but 75th is seventy fifth.

It's like losing an apostrophe and trying to making sense of what's written.

[Serena Casey]

I suppose I should have clarified, I'm talking about dates only. Like when an advertisement says "Sale prices good from February 1st-15th." Why not just "February 1-15"? It seems more clear to me that way, and it's not likely to be misunderstood.

Ah, well, just one of my many pet peeves. Not a biggie in the grand scheme of things, I know! :)

[paprikapink]

I agree with you Serena, wholeheartedly. Or, as they say in civil service, "I'm in agreeance with your position."

[Lance_in_Shanghai]

I once lived in Lanzhou, China where a local shop was called "21th Century Plaza". This stems from the Chinese language having no ordinal indicators whatsoever and they hear so many choices in English (st, nd, rd, th) of which th is the most common. They can't understand how "1st" can make sense ("onest"). I live in the "Three Village of _____ University" rather than the "Third Village". For dates in advertising or documents of a legal, business or informal nature, I agree that we should dispense with the ordinals and go Chinese. For formal writing, I think we should retain the speaking style of ordinals as they are transferred to the page. One wouldn't typically say, "I'll meet you on 14 June."

[HeronW]

I think if it's a reoccuring event: 'Every 3rd and 17th of the month' it saves writing out third and seventeenth while reminding the reader with the numeral, and it's not as curt and awkward feeling as saying '3 and 17 of the month'. For one time events: 'Expo March 6-12' is fine.

[girlyswot]

I think it sounds all wrong with out the ordinal indicators and, I have to say, that dates without them are a pet peeve of mine. February 21 is meaningless. February 21st means the twenty-first day of February.

[pdr]

I have to say, that dates without them are a pet peeve of mine.

Hear, hear!!!

[CutteRug]

Besides dates, ordinals also distinguish one item's place in a group, rather than just the number in the whole group.

10 is a group of ten.
10th is the last one in a series of ten.

It's just a way to be specific and clear, and I'd hate to see yet another tool of specificity and clarity fall by the wayside, just to usher in more simplicity.

Serena, I think your issue with the ordinals might stem from processing things more visually? I'm just making that guess because of your profession as a graphic designer. If that's the case, it makes sense that the ordinals just clog up your works because you're reading with your eyes and processing the information in a more visually-based way. For some people however, they're reading 'out-loud-in-their-head' as they go, so the ordinals are a must.

Just a thought.

[Serena Casey]

Serena, I think your issue with the ordinals might stem from processing things more visually? I'm just making that guess because of your profession as a graphic designer. If that's the case, it makes sense that the ordinals just clog up your works because you're reading with your eyes and processing the information in a more visually-based way. For some people however, they're reading 'out-loud-in-their-head' as they go, so the ordinals are a must.
Hey, that's probably true. Didn't think of how I might just be processing things differently. Good points, everyone!

[reenkam]

I suppose I should have clarified, I'm talking about dates only. Like when an advertisement says "Sale prices good from February 1st-15th." Why not just "February 1-15"? It seems more clear to me that way, and it's not likely to be misunderstood.

Ah, well, just one of my many pet peeves. Not a biggie in the grand scheme of things, I know! :)

See, when I look at that I think "february one to fifteen" and, sure, I understand it, but it sounds kind of funny to me in my head.

I do see your point though...but I also like adding st and th, (but, for some reason, I don't like rd for 3rd. It looks weird to me)