In June 17th’s Cryptopix

http://www.tanga.com/puzzles/5054-6-17-2009

there was a “+S” added to the puzzle. Some interesting discussion ensued about the proper usage of “+S” versus simply using “S” without a plus sign.

Here are the comments (with their links):

http://www.tanga.com/puzzles/5054-6-17-2009?comments_page=1#comment_304826
and the “+S” should probably just be “S”

http://www.tanga.com/puzzles/5054-6-17-2009?comments_page=1#comment_304842
I agree — the “S” isn’t simply a sound added to the previous image; instead, the letter is fully pronounced.

Is this the generally accepted convention? That the letter is fully pronounced when there is no “+” sign? This would mean, for example, that

S + [picture of a choir] = Squire; while
S [picture of a choir] = Esquire.

Right?

What about the minus sign?

Lemon – M = ?

Leon, as is Ponce de Leon; or
Lon, a is Lon Chaney; or
either?