Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Grammar Police v Wedding Party *MNHQ tweaked title at OP's request*

191 replies

WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:27

I'm usually OK with grammar but this one has me scratching my head. Probably lack of sleep (not over this).

Went to a wedding at the weekend. They had one of those neon signs with their surname but added an apostrophe. So it said

The Smith's (name changed)

Shouldn't it have said The Smiths? There were four of them including children. Not one belonging to something/someone.

I'm very happy to be proved wrong. I'm not a grammar nazi but would hope something like that would have been right?

I know this is AIBU so disclaimer obviously what matters is the happy marriage of two loving people not an apostrophe.

OP posts:
Original poster
WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:43

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 01/10/2024 15:42

You'd think the person making the sign would query it too, wouldn't you? Although I suppose it could have been for a house sign...

I saw a big easel outside a wedding venue the other day with 'Sharon*'s wedding' on it. Apparently whoever Sharon was marrying wasn't important enough to be on the sign!

*not the name, but similar in that it wasn't a name that might be a surname.

I saw one of these recently too, except it said Mary's wedding and in smaller writing featuring Bob. It was quite funny.

OP posts:
Holdyourpeace · 01/10/2024 15:43

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 01/10/2024 15:42

You'd think the person making the sign would query it too, wouldn't you? Although I suppose it could have been for a house sign...

I saw a big easel outside a wedding venue the other day with 'Sharon*'s wedding' on it. Apparently whoever Sharon was marrying wasn't important enough to be on the sign!

*not the name, but similar in that it wasn't a name that might be a surname.

Original poster
WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:41

Marmite27 · 01/10/2024 15:39

Could you think about the new smith now belonging to the old smith and vice versa to give it an element of possession to soothe your nerves?

Ah yes, romantic. I feel much better. Thank you :-)

OP posts:
Original poster
WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:40

Boskit · 01/10/2024 15:37

I loathe the term 'grammar nazi'. There's nothing fascistic about being able to use one's native language with accuracy and discrimination. Once upon a time they used to teach it in schools - imagine!

Who said it was my native language, or theirs? It is but you've assumed that. Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups.
Well done on being the first person to pick holes in a lighthearted AIBU.

OP posts:
W0tnow · 01/10/2024 15:40

Pogggle · 01/10/2024 15:37

If it makes you feel any better, I saw a photo that my local tattooist uploaded the other day of one she'd just done that said 'know you're worth'. I actually couldn't believe that neither her or the person having it done thought to just double check that it was right 😬

Oh deer! (See what I did there…)

Marmite27 · 01/10/2024 15:39

Could you think about the new smith now belonging to the old smith and vice versa to give it an element of possession to soothe your nerves?

Pogggle · 01/10/2024 15:37

If it makes you feel any better, I saw a photo that my local tattooist uploaded the other day of one she'd just done that said 'know you're worth'. I actually couldn't believe that neither her or the person having it done thought to just double check that it was right 😬

Boskit · 01/10/2024 15:37

I loathe the term 'grammar nazi'. There's nothing fascistic about being able to use one's native language with accuracy and discrimination. Once upon a time they used to teach it in schools - imagine!

Original poster
WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:36

Dontlletmedownbruce · 01/10/2024 15:35

This type of thing irrationally annoys me.

Ha ha.
Not irrationally annoyed by it. Ever so slightly smug as she was a bit of a Bridezilla. But would never admit in the real world.

OP posts:
Dontlletmedownbruce · 01/10/2024 15:35

This type of thing irrationally annoys me.

Glitterblue · 01/10/2024 15:34

You’re right 😊

Original poster
WillLiveLifeAgain · 01/10/2024 15:33

They've just uploaded it as their cover photo on FB with them underneath it. I don't think it implied their wedding. Just as @KnottedTwine says. I thought I was right. Oh well. Worse things have happened but she was so particular about ribbon colours and getting everything right.

OP posts:
Holdyourpeace · 01/10/2024 15:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Alicana · 01/10/2024 15:31

Maybe they were thinking it implied it was their wedding?

KnottedTwine · 01/10/2024 15:31

Yes it should. A plural. Smiths. One Smith, two Smiths. And even if it had been a sign about their wedding, it would have been "The Smiths' Wedding". The Wedding of the Smiths, given you need more than one person to be married.

So many people get this wrong. Apple's, orange's, it's/its...