I can't remember who wrote this or when I read it, but could someone out there please confirm its truthfulness or give me a citation for it? Thanks. The American custom of putting the period and comma inside the quotation marks sprang from the printer's need to enclose these marks within another type element so as not to lose them. Also, Martha Kolln, could you please send me your e-mail address? And welcome back! Nancy Burkhalter [log in to unmask]