Terminalcoffee discussion
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use and abuse of the apostrophe by my asst. mgr.
I feel for you. I tend to be very frank. I agree with you that in a professional situation, especially at a LIBRARY, for cryin' out loud, it needs to be done right and it's better if the staff catches it before either a higher up or a patron says something. I'd just say something like, "I'm sorry, do you mind if I fix that? The apostrophe doesn't go with the plural." On one hand, I might deal with it like that, just a very neutral, factual way. On the other hand, I might be very solicitous, depending on personality.Once I did a bit of research on the DVD's, DVDs thing, and while you can find stuff on the internet saying it's "all right" to use the apostrophe (but what CAN'T you find on the internet?) I don't see any way to justify it. The nearest train of thought that makes any sense says that if you're using small case initials, the apostrophe can be used to indicate that the "s" isn't part of the initials, for instance, if you were writing "dvd's," but if you're using large case initials, that takes care of any possibility of confusion. I always write (and teach) it as DVDs.
Thanks, Rebecca, that is very useful information. The staff should definitely catch something like that first (though it obviously never should have happened in the first place). I think I will go ahead and just replace the sign. If she says something I will just say that I thought a volunteer must have done it or something (made the first, incorrect sign). What you said makes sense on DVDs, too. I have found in recent years that trying to find hard and fast grammar rules is getting more difficult. There seems to be a lazy, everything-goes mentality. No one wants to be told they are wrong!
Thanks again! :)
Ah, the passive-aggressive approach. Very good.I'd probably go with, "Hey Susie, do you mind if I fix that sign?"
lol I am all about the passive aggressive approach... to life in general.
I am really looking forward to going to work today, now.
I like Phil's line too!As far as grammar and usage, go, I change when the books change (provided the books are written by people of reasonable authority.) I have nothing against things changing, but there's a difference between actual change and bad habits or ignorance. On the other hand, I don't care much about informal usage and writing, but it occurred to me yesterday that maybe the reason kids aren't mastering writing these days is because the idea has crept in that standard writing is only to be used on formal occasions, and "regular" writing is to be used the rest of the time, like you're every day dishes and your bone china. On websites a lot of the time kids will be getting jumped on about their text-speak and they defend it by saying "I'm not writing for English class." When I was growing up, although you might use different vocabulary, writing was writing.
Oh well, enough musings.
I would agree that you should bring it up with her. I have little doubt that it has been noticed by a patron, and probably seen as being sloppy, especially since it is a library, a place associated with elevated learning and education. I agree with Phil. A simple or friendly 'Hey, I noticed this, can I fix this for you?' may help. If that would not be well received, blame it on a 'patron' who pointed it out to you and ask if she'd want you to fix it. I do not know your pecking order nor her level of sensitivity to criticism. I am assuming 'You dunderhead, you screwed up again!' would not go over well.A 'birfday'? Is that intentional? Is she trying to be cute? Does she have a speech impediment? Is 'birth' no longer a PC thing to say? Odd.
I only thank God that Sally is not here this week to read this.
Ooooohhh, blaming it on a patron is a brilliant idea. I hate to lie, so really it wouldn't be a lie, since I am a patron as well as an employee, right? I will either do that (so that she is aware of it and will maybe think twice next time) or just change the sign. But I do like the idea of pointing it out to her, so I may go that route. Thanks for all the great suggestions on how to handle this!
BTW why are we thankful that Sally is not here to read this?
Suefly wrote: "I would agree that you should bring it up with her. I have little doubt that it has been noticed by a patron, and probably seen as being sloppy, especially since it is a library, a place associated..."not sure why she says "birfday"...good question...although it most definitely is not cute if that is the intention.
I probably wouldn't say anything because I wouldn't want to risk the confrontation. We had a customer submit something for print that had the word parent's when it should have been parents' and I questioned it and she got mad. Not angry-mad, but my-colleague-and-I-proofed-it-thank-you mad.
Birfday isn't so odd. I'm 48 years old and still say sammich.
Nancy wrote: "BTW why are we thankful that Sally is not here to read this?"Sally hates it when apostrophes are abused. Whenever she notices it she has a very strong physical reaction.
Sally writhe's uncontrollably when apostrophe's are misused. Its something that truly bother's her.
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The only exception to the rule is when a single letter is being made plural, like "a" or "i."
You didn't spell abracadabra with enough a's.
This is to distinguish a's from the word as.
I think I've already shared the story of the woman who had given her child an apostrophe in her first name, but described it as a "high comma" to a friend of mine?Apostrophe abuse is rampant.
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That's certainly....creative.
Give her Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss as a gift. Maybe for National Punctuation Day. I had a boss that had menus printed that said our breakfasts were 'infamous' - Maybe he was right because the food was really bad.
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Headline on Yahoo today:
"Healthy" foods that're more fattening than a Twinkie
I want to beat someone silly.
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I do not see the problem with the contraction of that and are.
::breathes a sigh of relief::I've probably contracted that and are at least once in my life.
I have never. What're the odds?
Why isn't willn't a contraction? Why does it move to won't?
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Lobstergirl wrote: "You fuckers know where you can go."Yes, we're smart that way.
Lobstergirl wrote: "You fuckers know where you can go."I have my thoughts, but would be willing to listen to yours.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/lo...
Lobstergirl wrote: "Yemen!"That seems rather harsh!
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I work in a library, and my asst. mgr. does not know how or when to use the apostrophe. (She also says "birfday" instead of "birthday", but that is another topic for another time.) I want to point this out but I know that could be seen as insubordination! I don't want to cause tension between us. For example, she made a sign that reads: "BOOKS WITH CASSETTE'S". When I saw that the other day I wanted to just take it down and replace it. However, everyone would know it was me. I don't want to come across as a know-it-all or b---h about it but that sign has to go, one way or the other. This sign is in the children's section, and I hate to think of all those kids seeing the apostrophe misused in, of all places, a library, where people should know better! BTW, have you all heard of this book? Maybe I should just leave it on her desk? Greedy Apostrophe: A Cautionary Tale
Also, she made some signs that read "DVD's". Shouldn't it just be "DVDs"? What is the rule on that and where can I find it? Thanks!!