-
1496
First usage
The apostrophe was first used by Pietro Bembo in his edition of De Aetna -
1550
Apostrophe is introduced into english
It was introduced into English in the 16th century in imitation of French practice. -
Possessive usage
By the 18th century, apostrophe + s was regularly used for all possessive singular forms, even when the letter e was not omitted (as in the gate's height). -
Possessive plural
The use of an apostrophe after the plural s (as in girls' dresses) was universally accepted until the mid-19th century -
Nowdays
The apostrophe is used in English to indicate what is, for historical reasons, misleadingly called the possessive case in the English language.
