The Greengrocers' Apostrophe

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by shiney, Jun 9, 2014.

  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    67,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +134,170
    The misuse of apostrophes in signs is traditionally called the Greengrocers' Apostrophe from the mistakes that used to be made on market stalls.

    Whilst on holiday last week I came across a few signs that would come under this category. Although it's always acceptable for anyone to not to know when or where to use an apostrophe, it shouldn't be used wrongly when used in advertising or for a business (or by educational establishments).

    This one made us laugh as we walked past it!
    P1180927.JPG

    We all know what is intended by the sign but that's not what it says.
    The sign, simply, means that you are welcome to bring your dog inside the shop. Dogs (plural) are welcome.

    The way that it's written means that you're going to get a welcome that a dog would give you. So expect to be slobbered over :doggieshmooze:! That's a dog's welcome. :loll:

    This next one has been done by a sign writer - unforgivable from a professional that must be doing this sort of thing all the time.
    P1180931.JPG

    We all know that it means that the taxi company belongs to Michael so there should be an apostrophe between the 'l' and the 's'. Not funny like the previous one, just silly.

    The next one was advertising a job in a restaurant that was being refitted. They've managed to insert an apostrophe when there shouldn't be one and to make a spelling mistake! :doh: :snork:
    P1180932.JPG


    This next one is also unforgivable as it has been professionally made and is there for all to see. Almost any other example of this mistake would easily be acceptable as it's a difficult one, but not by a sign maker. The apostrophe is, simply, in the wrong place.
    P1180952.JPG

    I must thank the writers for these as it gave us a good laugh as we were trailing along behind our wives as they were indulging in retail therapy.

    The examples above don't really matter (apart from the fact that I might stay out of the shop that had the slobbery dog :biggrin:) but putting an apostrophe in the wrong place can make a big difference to some messages. As this sign, made by a sign writer, demonstrates. :roflol:
    apostrophe.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

      Joined:
      Aug 25, 2011
      Messages:
      12,625
      Occupation:
      Pyro
      Location:
      Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
      Ratings:
      +38,714
      So the Dogs Paw is welcome :biggrin:
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Agree Agree x 2
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jul 3, 2006
        Messages:
        67,288
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired - Last Century!!!
        Location:
        Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
        Ratings:
        +134,170
        :lunapic 130165696578242 5: :lunapic 130165696578242 5: :lunapic 130165696578242 5:

        By Jove, he's got it! :yay:

        I don't know what he'd do with the other three. :scratch:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Funny Funny x 1
        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

          Joined:
          Dec 5, 2010
          Messages:
          16,524
          Location:
          Central England on heavy clay soil
          Ratings:
          +29,001
          • Like Like x 2
          • Kristen

            Kristen Under gardener

            Joined:
            Jul 22, 2006
            Messages:
            17,534
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Suffolk, UK
            Ratings:
            +12,671
            Working Mens' Institute

            Many men have many institutes?
             
            • Agree Agree x 2
            • Funny Funny x 1
            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jul 3, 2006
              Messages:
              67,288
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired - Last Century!!!
              Location:
              Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
              Ratings:
              +134,170
              Sorry, I said it's a difficult one! The sign refers to a building for working men (what happens if they are out of work or no longer working? :scratch:. Are the jobs specified that come under the heading of 'working men'? But I digress. :)).

              Men is already plural, therefore the possessive apostrophe goes after the plural and before the possessive 's'.

              Now, if the word would have been 'Institutes' there would have been a possibility of it being correct if all the institutes referred to would have been inside the same building.
               
            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jun 3, 2008
              Messages:
              34,052
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Surrey
              Ratings:
              +54,094
              Greengrocer's apostrophe


              A greengrocer has an apostrophe, although he may not necessarily know what to do with it :)
               
            • Lorea

              Lorea Wine drinker

              Joined:
              Apr 16, 2012
              Messages:
              1,932
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              English teacher
              Location:
              The Basque Country, Northern Spain
              Ratings:
              +1,363
              Dont get me started on apostrophe's.
               
              • Funny Funny x 1
              • HarryS

                HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 28, 2010
                Messages:
                8,906
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Wigan
                Ratings:
                +16,255
                Have a few british councils stopped the use of apostrophes in road signs ? As they were causing endless discussions .
                Along the same lines a USA state (Indiana?) decided Pi should be 3.0 , which would make life easier :biggrin:
                 
              • Jiffy

                Jiffy The Match is on Fire

                Joined:
                Aug 25, 2011
                Messages:
                12,625
                Occupation:
                Pyro
                Location:
                Retired Next To The Bonfire in UK
                Ratings:
                +38,714
                Another good one is, To,Too or Two :scratch::snork:
                Which 2 to use, or is that, which too to use
                 
              • Kristen

                Kristen Under gardener

                Joined:
                Jul 22, 2006
                Messages:
                17,534
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Suffolk, UK
                Ratings:
                +12,671
                11 was a racehorse
                12 was 12
                1111 race
                12112 :)
                 
              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

                Joined:
                Dec 5, 2010
                Messages:
                16,524
                Location:
                Central England on heavy clay soil
                Ratings:
                +29,001
                Shouldn't that be Greengrocers Apostrophe's ? (in greengrocer speak). As in New Seasons potato(e)'s?

                We need

                [​IMG]
                 
                • Funny Funny x 1
                • HarryS

                  HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Aug 28, 2010
                  Messages:
                  8,906
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired
                  Location:
                  Wigan
                  Ratings:
                  +16,255
                  Another one aligned to this post............. just emailed my Brother as my niece has just given birth to a lovely little girl . I wrote " happy Grandad ! " the spell check ( UK and USA ) showed Granddad ?:scratch: Surely Clive Dunn and me haven't been wrong for all these years !
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Phil A

                    Phil A Guest

                    Ratings:
                    +0
                    Looks like both are right, http://english.stackexchange.com/qu...ect-spelling-granddad-or-grand-dad-or-grandad

                    Congrats by the way Harry :)
                     
                    • Friendly Friendly x 1
                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                      Joined:
                      Jul 3, 2006
                      Messages:
                      67,288
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired - Last Century!!!
                      Location:
                      Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                      Ratings:
                      +134,170
                      Congratulations, Harry. :dbgrtmb:

                      I never take any notice of American spelling :heehee:.

                      This forum (or my I.E.) keeps changing 'wellies' to 'willies' :lunapic 130165696578242 5:.
                       
                      • Funny Funny x 3
                      Gardeners Corner is dependent on Donation to keep running, if you enjoy using Gardeners Corner, please consider donating to help us with our operating costs.
                      Loading...
                      Similar Threads - Greengrocers' Apostrophe
                      1. ClaraLou
                        Replies:
                        14
                        Views:
                        1,243

                      Share This Page

                      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                        Dismiss Notice