Earworms wrote:
Actually, it's '60s, not 60's (1960s). Apostrophe makes it possessive, unless of course it is a contraction. The sixties were ten years long, so it is plural, not possessive. Add an "s" to make it plural, no apostrophe.
This picture should help, look at where the apostrophe is.
Thanks, Earworms. I frequently need to sit on my hands when I see a flying apostrophe on this site, amongst other errors. I know people moan about correcting another's errors, but it's worth remembering that youngsters may be reading, and then making the same mistake on a job application, when it really matters. And of course you're correct- '60's is simply wrong.
It may interest you to know that the possessive apostrophe came about from its use in contractions. In old English, ownership was spoken of as, for example, 'Harold, his dog'. Inevitably, speech abbreviated this to 'Harold's dog.' Sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs!