Subject: Re: the meaning of 'and'
It's the double dash'that I think is replaced by a single quote mark.

What's a double dash?

1. Double dash (two dashes in a row, typed direct from keyboard key): --

2. "Longdash" (not on keyboard but inserted as a symbol using Windows' Windows key+"." dialog): '

3. A bunch of different dash-looking symbols also inserted using the Windows key+"." dialog:

' - ' ' −

Or does this have to do with an auto-correct feature that replaces successive typed double dashes with a longer dash?