Have you heard about the heated battle going on in Great Britain? I guess jolly olde England ain’t so jolly.
Note lack of apostrophe in “Regent’s”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Government officials in southwestern England want to abolish the use of apostrophes on street (and other) signs to avoid confusion.
What?
“St. Paul’s Square” would be known as “St. Pauls Square.” How is that less confusing? The point of proper punctuation is to avoid confusion.
The issue is a hotbed of controversy. Outraged grammarians ask, “What is next? A war on commas?” An indignant former council member said, “It is just sloppiness. It sets a bad example from people who should not be setting a bad example.”
I interviewed Queen Elizabeth to get her take on the apostrophe debate. She said, “Come on, people. You all agreed to use the “Queen’s English,” not the “Queens English. I’m the only queen around this joint.” She didn’t say so, but I could tell she was miffed. She left in a huff before I could ask my follow-up question, “What DO you carry in that handbag? It isn’t like you need bus fare.”
The Grammar Police at work in England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I didn’t know this, but misuse of the noble apostrophe abounds in England. They even have a term for it . . . the “grocer’s apostrophe.” Signs in shops, such as “tomato’s for sale,” are common. Government agencies and business omit and add apostrophes with willy-nilly abandon. For example, the London Underground has a stop called Earl’s Court and another is called Barons Court.
An apostrophe advocate in England said, “The correct use of the apostrophe isn’t simply nitpicking; the tiny punctuation mark can make an out-sized difference, as in this sentence: ‘If you’re late for dinner, you can eat your son’s.’ If you don’t put the apostrophe in ‘son’s,’ it’s cannibalism, isn’t it?”
The kerfuffle over the misuse of the apostrophe in England bugged former newspaper copy editor John Richards so much he founded the Apostrophe Protection Society. The society’s website, www.apostrophe.org.uk, has had more than 1.6 million visitors.
Mr. Richards has this to say about the government’s recent proposal to abolish apostrophes from signs. “I don’t see how keeping the apostrophe can cause confusion. They don’t say confusion to whom. It baffles me. I’m all for evolution, as long as it evolves into something better. Change just for the sake of convenience, because people are too lazy to learn to use it properly, isn’t evolution. It is going backward.”
I don’t have trouble using the apostrophe properly. Commas are my bugaboo. However, “it’s vs. its” hangs me up. Every. Single. Time. I have a mental block with the damn rule.
Grammar at its worst!(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Related articles on the apostrophe War
- End of the road for the misunderstood apostrophe (thetimes.co.uk)
- Council accused of ‘murdering’ punctuation mark after abolishing apostrophes from street names (telegraph.co.uk)
- In the lanes of Devon, the signs aren’t looking good for the apostrophe (independent.co.uk)
- Apostrophe lives to fight another day for good grammar (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
- Dropped Apostrophes Spark Grammar War in Britain (rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Humble apostrophe reprieved in council U-turn (thetimes.co.uk)
- You: Outrage at local authority plans to abolish apostrophe (guardian.co.uk)
Robin Coyle 
Grocery chains here seem to have done away with the apostropher decades ago. They are Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons.
That is crazy. I never noticed the missing apostrophes!
My problem is definitely commas more that the apostrophe, but I totally agree that the apostrophe is important.
Commas kill me! I didn’t know that until my sister, a technical writer, read it. Yikes! I over- and under-use them. Grrrrrr.
I’m wondering if Liz ordered a test run on her colonial subjects because in Australia it’s already the case… The house we purchased 10 years ago at Taylor’s Arm Road, Taylor’s Arm became a few years ago Taylors Arm Road, Taylors Arm, and weren’t even notified… everything just changed. According to Google numerologically “Punctuation marks such as commas and exclamation marks are not counted in the number of letters. However, it is sometimes wise (but rare) to consider apostrophes or dashes as a countable letter in the number of letters.”… hopefully there’s no energetic repercussions.
They didn’t tell you they were changing it from Taylor’s Arm to Taylors Arm? No discussion? No debates? Huh. Even my spellchecker here doesn’t like Taylors.
Interesting about punctuation marks not being counted in letter counts. Didn’t know that . . .
Nup, no discussion at all. The G.O. hadn’t realised at all… I think it was something to do with the automation of the mail system and it couldn’t cope with tricky little apostrophes… I believe apostrophes are counted in letter (as a character) counts but in numerology they have no value. I was worried omitting the apostrophe would upset the delicate balance of energetic characteristics associated with our street address 😉
You could always go around with a marker and add an apostrophe to all the street signs on your street and realign the energy balance.
I live here in the UK and I hadn’t heard about this until now. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
And don’t get me started on the grocer’s apostrophe…
Its vs It’s is easy:
If you can’t break it down to ‘it is’, you don’t use an apostrophe.
It’s easy = It is easy.
Easy, in’t it?
I’m surprised you haven’t heard about the proposal to ban the apostrophe. The city officials probably kept the news away from you because they knew what kind of reaction (visceral) you would have.
I know. I know. But when I go to type it’s or its, I stumble. Mental block, big time. Its not easy for me! Oops! I mean, it’s not easy for me.
””””””””””””””””””’ 😀 ””””””””””””””’
Hear! Hear! Mr. Richards
You should check out his website. There are photos of real signs with apostrophe abuse. It is quite amusing!
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
Another in line with the debate about calculators vs knowing how to do sums, block letters vs cursive script – the misuse of the apostrophe does throw up some glorious gaffes but its’ abolition will surely weaken the language. I’m with the guys at the Protection Society. Happy Easter to you 🙂
It cracks me up that we need an Apostrophe Protection Society. You should check out the photos of apostrophe abuse on their website. Very amusing.
Hope your Easter was lovely.
So, did the queen give you any hints on the sex of Kate’s baby… or did you talk strictly about grammar?
She couldn’t be bothered. She is bugged that all the attention is on, as she put it, “Precious Kate.”
I’m sure she is. I remember how jealous she was of Diana…
The Queen hates having her thunder stolen.
WooHoo. Go us! Not.
The number of times you see a sign in this country where they have added a rogue apostrophe. It is INFURIATING. Where were the sign-maker’s Seek & Destroy techniques?
Does no-one edit anything? Check anything?
Apparently not.
Let’s do away with language and go back to grunting. Ug ug ug
Oh good. I hoped you would chime in over this issue, Pete. I wondered what my British friends had to say about the proposed abolishment of the apostrophe in your homeland.
And, you make a good caveman.
I think they’ve backed down on this now. I seem to remember hearing, due to the outcry, they’ve relented. Though I could be wrong. It’s ridiculous and part of the dumbing down culture we seem to have at the minute.
Hahaha, I neither have the hair to be a caveman nor covet it 🙂
Yes, the article I read said the council was so stunned by the outrage they are considering dropping the issue. Smart move.
My way for its and it’s is that the apostrophe divides the TWO words: it and is.
As for the possible law: its ridiculous thats what its.
Scott
My brain knows the rule. My fingers do not.
Its ridiculous, thats what its all about. Or, it is ridiculous, that is what it is all about. Arg.
How funny. Some can’t leave well enough alone ( it always seems like there’s some effort to modernize/simplify the English language.)
But new signs would mean some new jobs, right?
Hoppy on to Easter! (like I would ever follow rules, anyway…..)
New signs means a boatload of money on new signs, new maps, new brochures, you name it. And yes, a boost to the economy. Maybe I am all for it now!
Hoppy Easter to you too!
It always floors me how many people struggle with apostrophes. It really isn’t rocket science. There are those who struggle with the whole spelling and grammar thing and it’s just part of that, but then there are others whose spelling and everything else is generally ok, but apostrophes are wrong every time! And how this proposed change to street signs is supposed to help matters floors me even more!
I don’t know if you heard about this a little while ago, but a particular city in England decided to starting hanging bright fluffy pompoms from trees in the city centre to try and deter people from committing crimes! Right. So we have some…interesting, ways of dealing with issues over here!
Did the pompom program deter crime? That would make a great case study in human behavior. I bet there is a university student doing their doctorate on “Pink Pompoms Equals Less Crime.”
Apostrophes are easy for me. Comma, not, so, much. Grr.
That is too strange. I do not know why they would do that, but this is the same country that elimated ain’t, the original second person form of am not, from correct English Grammar a few centuries ago.
Ha! Funny. And I purposefully used “ain’t” in this post. I know it is wrong, but it somehow felt right using it in the second sentence.
Misuse of apostrophes so irks me. Recently, Arkansas’ legislature decided that that possessive should be spelled Arkansas’s. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb. I am particularly appalled at the millions or billions of people who don’t even notice the difference!!!
In reading your comment, I thought of something else. Think of the HUGE expense of changing all the signs, letterhead, brochures, etc. to get rid of the apostrophe in England and to add the s’s to Arkansas’s.
Probably millions or billions of pounds and dollars down the tubes — such a crying shame!
i could justify it if it was to CORRECT a punctuation typo, not MAKE one! The irony.
Oh, yes. So many irony’s in the modern language’s of the world.
“However, “it’s vs. its” hangs me up. Every. Single. Time. I have a mental block with the damn rule.”
You too?
As for the Brits, they need to spend less time drafting new rules whiole drinking in pubs…
Maybe the city officials came up with the proposal while they were having a pint.
That’s most bloody likely, Robin!
That is so funny and yet I can see Its importance.
Its mind boggling. Or it’s mind boggling. I can never remember which.
It is…. 🙂
You know, the whole apostrophe thing with regards to signs etc is just a joke! I really think that they shouldn’t abolish them, but teach people to use them! I remember being in the first year, first term, of my Undergrad degree in English Lit. I had to explain to a fellow student/friend who just so happened to be English, what apostrophes are supposed to be used for. It kind of worried me that she was sitting next to me in a university lecture on English Lit. It just didn’t add up to me.
I think the decision or even the suggestion to eliminate apostrophes for signs makes a terrifyingly large comment on the mindset of the people suggesting it, never mind the state of Education. This comment needs editing/pared down. But at least I’m confident that I’ve used my apostrophes correctly! GAR!
The proper use of an apostrophe seems intuitive to me so I don’t understand the misuse of or desire to abolish it. I wonder if your friend/classmate wasn’t taught how to use an apostrophe or just didn’t see the point of it. Any idea?
Since there is so much outrage of the proposal to eliminate apostrophes from signs, I bet the proposal gets tossed in the trash . . . or as you would say, ash bin.
Back from Cloud Nine, Katy? Or are you still on a post-wedding high?
I too can’t get its and it’s.
The thing about the apostrophe is that everyone is so damn opinionated about it. If I asked someone to peer proof my work which contained the sentence, “Spelling marriage is Unfetteredbs’s weakness”, most people would say that the apostrophe goes after the S (Unfetterdbs’).
It gets so maddening because people are rigid in their opinions, even when wrong. Sometimes the path of least resistance is to just change it, even if it is incorrect, rather than argue the point or research the objectively correct answer.
My grammar sucks so bad I don’t have a firm opinion on these things. I can easily see throwing my hands in the air and saying to hell with the apostrophe all together!
This post should be Freshly Pressed by the way. It is really excellent.
Well, thank you!
The apostrophe S in a word that ends with an ‘s’ stumps me on occasion. That is a tricky one for me. And, I don’t think your grammar sucks.
I love apostrophe’s and I never’ u’se them’ incorrect’lý – hahahahaha
Ha’ha’ha’ha’ha’. Is that the proper use of an apostrophe? I can never get it straight.
Hum, I thought only Americans were apostrophe impaired. Sad to hear it also happens right in England. Did I tell you I recently saw a large ad of a store window for the copany 686, which sells clothes. The ad said “to good friend’s and riding”. Pathetic.
Oh yeah, I think you mentioned that sign. Unlike with the use of the semicolon, colon, and comma, I don’t have a problem with the proper use of the apostrophe. I think. I hope.
The Queen’s English, and Queens English are two vastly different things. You know what I’m tawkin about? Fugeddaboudit.
Save the apostrophe.
I’m going to have tee-shirts printed up with “Save the Apostrophe.” Can I put you down for one?
And, your New York accent is excellent.
Yes, please. Larg’e.
Comin’g righ’t u’p.
I wrote a column for the newspaper about what is in the Queen’s purse–I can’t remember now–but I do think she carries a gold compact given to her by her hubbie a long time ago — when I find that article I will illuminate you
I would love to know what is in her purse. See if you can find the article. Also, thanks for standing up for me . . . do you mind looking at my response to lazy coffees? I sure didn’t think I dissed the Queen!
Am I allowed to make rude comments about the..um.. person on the throne at your White House. I wouldn’t be so rude. Your blog is read world wide and can be very interesting but I find some of your trying-to-be amusing statements quite distasteful and they encourage even more offensive comments. And no, I’ m not British. But usually your posts are about the art of speech and the art of writing and are useful and informative. And the misuse of the apostrophe is not confined to Britain. Just Google apostrophe America.
did someone get up on the grumpy side of the bed today — Me too
So sorry to offend. Plenty of Americans (and others) poke fun at our president and elected leaders. So, feel free to do so as well. I was poking good-natured fun at the Queen and didn’t say anything offensive about her. I also didn’t say we Americans don’t have our problems with grammar and spelling. We have plenty. I was merely commenting on a current event in England that has been all over the press . . . here and abroad. The quotes were from Englishmen, not from me or other Americans.
If you find it distasteful here, don’t read it.
In my long life I was taught respect for position whether queen, president prime minister, teacher, judge, policeman, . labourer. I think it’s one of the problems of our times that respect is not taught to the young and is a contributing factor for the troubles in present day society. I’ll be sorry if I have to stop read your posts on grammar and words because of the other inappropriate comments.
Well, my sense of humor isn’t going to change. You will have to decide if you want to read my blog in the future.
Well i’m really sorry about all this. I thought the word Comment means just that – look it up in the Dictionary – and I made a perfect valid Comment. The heading should say “Comment as long as you agree with me. No criticism wanted”.
You can criticize all you want. My point is if my blog offends you, don’t read it. Okay. enough. Want to call a truce and shake hands?
I remember when I interviewed the Queen and she threw that bag at me. I think it had Philip’s sense of humour in it because it was very light 😉
Prince Charles’s sense of humor was in the handbag too. It made it extra-light.
Feathers – LOL 😉
Now is the winter of our discontent…oh, wrong play. So would Midsummer Night’s Dream lose its (take note of my proper usage, Robin) apostrophe, too, somewhere down the line? Twould turn a comedy into certain tragedy.
I think the queen carries her signature toilet paper in her purse, so she doesn’t have to use the rough stuff.
If they drop the the apostrophe from Night’s in Midsummer Night’s Dream, old Bill Shakespeare is sure to come back from the dead to haunt them.
Ah . . . toilet paper. That makes so much sense. Couldn’t have the royal bum chaffed from using the her royal subjects use.
I want to know what is in her handbag Robin! It and It’s gets me everytime as well. What’s up with that?
Maybe she carries the keys to Windsor Castle in her purse. Can’t trust the servants with those!
I don’t know what is up with its and it’s. I second guess myself every time and look it up. Same goes for the word “definitely.” I can NEVER spell it!
I never spell marriage correctly. Thank goodness for spell check.
Haa keys to the castle. Mmmm maybe
Last summer I did a post on words I just can’t spell. Not sure if you were around here then. It was fun to see what words hang people up. There were a lot we had in common, but a bunch that were unique to the person. I know how to spell husband but I always type in husbland. Don’t tell him I call him bland.
Haaa Ill check the archives
I almost fell into my coffee this morning when I read this in our newspaper. Whatever is the world coming to. Not only is the iphone generation using LOL and BTW and r u something or other, now the ENGLISH wasn’t to help THIS cause. Makes my teeth ache.
BTW, r u sur the queen, isn’t LOL?
The whole texting abbreviation is a good topic for a blog post. Along with the often embarrassing autocorrection adjustments the iPhone like to make when you aren’t paying attention.
I expect this kind of foolishness from the grammar-challenged U.S., but from oh-so-proper England? Terrible, just terrible.
We really should have some kind of volunteer grammar police force out there, shouldn’t we? Not only could these brave men and women watch out for extra (or missing) apostrophes, but also they could patrol the aisles of grocery stores, replacing the “10 items or less” signs with “10 items or fewer.”
Grammar Police with red pens and blue pencils in holsters at their hip is an excellent idea. The pictures of misused apostrophes on the Apostrophe Protection Society are quite amusing. Some are so bad you wonder if the person who made the sign did it as a joke.
Very cool to land an interview with the Queen herself on the subject. But I bet she jumped at the chance. She’s probably reviewing your Weak Words series right now.
Oh, the Queen is a regular commenter here. She uses an alias to keep her identity under wraps. Her initials are Carrie Rubin, but don’t tell anyone.
Remind me to Knight you some time…
Sir Robin has a nice ring to it!
Wouldn’t “Queens English” be something spoken in part of New York?
Ha! You are so right! That goes hand-in-hand with Brooklynese.
Robin, there is a beauty in language and in being precise and correct. We are losing that beauty in our rush to be inclusive — to include the dummies or the world! We are becoming a world of the mediocre and not the exceptional, because somehow we have decided that the exceptional is elitist and god forbid anyone is better than anyone else. It’s a sorry state of affairs. (Or, “its a sorry state of affares.) I am sick of it and I fight it at every turn. I fear, however, that my only salvation will be in death for I cannot see how we can stop this bloody tide. All sadness. HF
Aw . . . I’m sorry I made you sad. Will it cheer you up when I reblog your post on reading? I’ll probably do it tomorrow. I was going to do it today but this issue was something I wanted to get out there right away.
Abolishing the apostrophe is condoning the “dumbing down” of the English language. And to think, the English want to dumb down English. There is irony in there . . .
Sad irony. Thank you so much for the reblog. I am urgently trying to get a book to a publisher. Another without my name, but, pays the bills. All joy and I truly appreciate you and am glad we are friends and blog buddies. HF
This was great! How rude of the queen to leave before you were done with your questions! It’s amazing what people have devolved to, isn’t it?
Well, the Queen was in a lather over the issue so even if she stayed, she would have been a poor interview. Plus, I think she need to use the loo.
The apostrophe issue makes me sad. I’m glad the Brits are up in arms over it.
It’s not complicated, ’tis it?
For some reason, I can’t remember the rule. It is like I have PTSD over using it the wrong way in grammar school or something.