Feb. 3, 2006, 5:25 p.m. (Message 44115, in reply to message 44034)
Mike Briggs wrote: If the tune is called "Eccles' Rant," it must have been named for two or more people called Eccle. If there were a person called Eccles and I wanted to name a tune after her/him, I'd name it "Eccles's Rant." (With my name, I'm almost as aggressive about apostrophes as Lynne Truss is). :) Well, I don't have a name like yours, Mike, but I agree some of the ways apostrophes get used is really excruciating. In this instance, for what it's worth, the author/editor of the 18th Century Book (Jack McConachie) writes "Eccles' Rant" for both the dance and the tune. But if the dance had been named after the town, and if the author had followed modern conventions about apostrophes, how would you spell it then? By the way, I'd like to thank the people (on and off list) who have shared with me their thoughts about the dance. I haven't taught it yet, but I'll let you know when I have done. Martin - I realise first couple alone are active for the first 16 bars; I'll just have to see how I can make the experience fun for the other dancers even if they are only admiring from the sidelines. Chris, New York.