I’ve just had an MSN conversation with fellow GrammarBlogger Tom and I feel like sharing.

Tom: in this context, would you put ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in quotation marks:
Tom: It’s a simple question and usually can be answered with a yes or no.
Gez: maybe
Gez: yes
Tom: right - Paul and Mike both concur here
Gez: that’s ok. if it offends you stylistically, I don’t think there is a problem leaving them out
Tom: hmm
Tom: that’s a good point
Tom: I suppose it’s essentially treating ‘yes’ and ‘no’ as nouns
Gez: says: no, you are quoting
Gez: says: eg say, "yes, Paul"
Gez: says: There is a case for it as they are not part of the sentence in that context. But don’t lose sleep over it if you don’t want them in.
Tom says: I think it’s a fairly unique usage : the idea of a yes and a no as nouns - I don’t think it works for other words
Tom: I’m going to leave them out
Gez: I works when ever you talk about words.
Gez: Pronounce the T in waiting
Tom: I disagree - in this instance I think ‘yes’ is a synonym for a nod
Gez: Tom puts the ‘wit’ in ‘fuckwit’. Andy provides the ‘fuck’.
Tom: yeah - but I think you need the speech marks there
Tom: you’re clearly talking about the words themselves
Gez: really? same argument different case
Tom: rather than the concept of a yes
Gez: anyway
Tom: anyway

Yep, I know: we’re sad.