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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not buy a product due to erroneous apostrophes?

202 replies

PavlovtheCat · 23/06/2013 18:10

It is an otherwise appropriate product and to be fair, there is only one misuse of apostrophe. I can even see why they have placed it; if in doubt add an apostrophe, right? Wrong.

But, it makes me think they have not had their website proofread, which then leads me think they are not such a professional business. This in turn concerns me should there be a problem with the product in terms of customer service and aftercare. And, if I am completely honest, it makes me feel a little bit irrationally grumpy.

Am I Being Unreasonable? DH thinks I am being so.

OP posts:
JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:34

It should be D.V.D. but no-one can be arsed.

LunaticFringe · 23/06/2013 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nanny0gg · 23/06/2013 20:35

JamieandtheMagicTorch "You could argue that it should be Mothers' Day"
Indeed you could. But either way, an apostrophe is required.

DarceyBissell · 23/06/2013 20:35

Its - no apostrophe - is always possessive.

angeltulips · 23/06/2013 20:36

YAdefinitelyNBU

I think there was a scramble to de-apostrophise when corporate websites first came in and companies assumed consumers were too stupid to be able to find them online if their names had characters that weren't permitted in URLs. Doesn't make it right, but there you go.

Incidentally, a lot of people I know say "TESCOES" and I've often wondered whether in their heads they think its tesco's

PavlovtheCat · 23/06/2013 20:36

Round ere it's Asdas anyways. innet.

OP posts:
angeltulips · 23/06/2013 20:38

Cross post

Mattress's?

MATTRESS'S??

DarceyBissell · 23/06/2013 20:38

angel - it's tesco's?

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:38

Darcey I know - what I meant is this: children learn "the cat's tail", then they have to learn that strangely when you use the possessive pronoun "its" it doesn't have an apostrophe. I can see why the confusion arises in that one

kim147 · 23/06/2013 20:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:39

No it's Tesco

Except if you are my mum, who adds an s to everything:

Lidls
Asdas
Westfields
John Lewises Shock

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:41

kim

I have PM'd you

(or is it PMd?, or P.M.d?)

tupuedes · 23/06/2013 20:41

What some people will never get over is that rules change due to general usage changing over time. So in 20,30 years time apostrophes for plurals may well be accepted usage. The people who refuse to accept this are the same as those who insist "the media" is a plural and still use the word datum in place of data.

TolliverGroat · 23/06/2013 20:42

I once read that DVD's is correct in American English but not in British English. I have no idea whether or not that's right.

Sainsbury's still has an apostrophe on its consumer website. Technically the company is J Sainsbury plc so no trailing s of any kind and hence no apostrophe. "Sainsburys" is incorrect under any circumstances.

DarceyBissell · 23/06/2013 20:43

Jamie - Young minds need to be schooled in the rigors of pedantry. Earlier they start, the better.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:44

tupedes

Good point, but I'd rather have no apostrophes that sling them into plurals . That's just an eyesore

kim147 · 23/06/2013 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:46

Darcey

Don't get me started on the use of the word "awesome" left right and centre to denote something"really quite good". I have been met with bemusement when I ask them to define awesome and then tell them that a good film is flipping well not akin to a Seventh Wonder of the World

DarceyBissell · 23/06/2013 20:46

American English is a misnomer. Color, gotten, dove (dived)? Shudder!

queenofthepirates · 23/06/2013 20:46

Come the revolution where I am at the helm, there will be a grand lining up against the wall of anyone misusing the apostrophe. At the front will be market traders who, in my opinion, are the worst of all offenders.

If I were more of a pedant (which considering I harbour pseudo-homicidal tendencies towards market traders may be difficult to develop), I would call trading standards and insist they call them to order.

PavlovtheCat · 23/06/2013 20:46

tupuedes I can never envisage a time when mattress's will look right. It won't ever be. I cannot be .

OP posts:
JamieandtheMagicTorch · 23/06/2013 20:47

kim

I say "I'm goin' Tescos" Grin

PavlovtheCat · 23/06/2013 20:48

t.
Grammar is very different from a typo, alright?

OP posts:
DarceyBissell · 23/06/2013 20:48

Also, everyone says 'hopefully' in the wrong context.

Almostalwayshappy · 23/06/2013 20:48

DS goes to an 'outstanding' school. Last month the newsletter, which is sent to all parents and students, invited us to the Year Eight Parent's Evening. I called the school office to inform them it was impossible all 240 children had one parent, especially as my son is an only child. They were thrilled to hear from me. The school office staff love me.

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