Further to: ...quotes rather than an exclamation mark to place emphasis on a written word...

There seems to be a school of signwriting here in WA that espouses this. It's not uncommon to see signs saying "STOP" or "SALE" or Avoid the XMas rush - buy "NOW"

It p***es me off so much that I wonder if I'm turning into just another old cranky guy! Probably

......I remember when I was young......

stales