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After all this time I've discovered another misuse of the apostrophe.
Do'nt ca'nt would'nt seem to be turning up a lot recently.
The apostrophe is supposed to indicate a missing letter.

I have frequently heard young people referred to as children on the radio when the recent exam result debacle is being discussed.
Junior school children perhaps, but referring to 17 and 18 year olds in this way grates on me.
What's the matter with students?

Rossim, you remind me of a clue in the Guardian this week, where “one’s” = IS.
One is = I am, that works
One’s = I’m = IM, that works
Ones = 1s = IS also works... but
One’s = IS ?? that apostrophe bugs me

I can see why, Jono!
I've just spotted a have'nt too.

rossim

I agree about apostrophes. My @1738 about the A Level protest placard was echoed by a letter in 'The Times' on Tuesday.

However, although I agree about 'children', I disagree about 'students', sometimes used nowadays even for U-11s. For me they are pupils until they move on to university or college.

I agree that pupils is better for the younger ones but think students is fine for sixth formers.
I went to all female grammar school and the headmistress always referred to us as children. It even annoyed my mother when just 'girls' would have been fine.

Paul

I agree with you about students. They are pupils at school, then students. I refer to my after-school dance class as pupils, even though the school uses "students". I have told the Head that I will not use the word and he seems happy enough.

Rossim

I agree "children" seems a bit daft for18 year-olds. I was surprised a few months ago to read that Liverpool had 4 children in their team against Everton.

Grunger

Yes and they would have still beaten us with 11 children in that Cup tie.

Paul

I noticed the letter you mentioned.

Malone

I liked grunger's amusing story of what might have happened and your hilarious reply. I am sure she realised that you would never be violent but the GBH/GBD association caused her imagination to run riot.

I am delighted to see that you have been upgraded from CBUAU to 5 As, but surely A* is more appropriate for you.

as an ex-teacher i can regret that not all pupils were students!

Jigjag,

Yes, Grunger's story of the 'attack' was wonderful, very amusing.

I considered adding one or two stars/* to my abbreviation, but felt there had been more than enough complaints about grade inflation. I didn't want to add to the controversy.