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Pedants' corner

Oh no! apostrophe astray in -gasp- John Lewis!

39 replies

Annner · 04/04/2008 21:43

Just got back from the blissful calm of a child-free shopping day in Southampton.

Spent far-too-much money in John Lewis, on lovely clothes for DS and DD.

But my blissful calm was shattered by the sight of a t-shirt in the toddler department which proudly shouted, "bug's"

I sent the following email as soon as I got home.

Dear John Lewis,

This is not so much a complaint, as a lament. I was shopping in your Southampton store today, admiring your lovely toddler boy range. BUT! I was dismayed to see a T-shirt bearing the legend "Bug's" (sic.)

Surely, surely, surely, somebody somewhere in your buying department is aware that you not need an apostrophe to indicate a plural? There was no suggestion that the bug concerned actually owned anything. How could this glaring error have slipped through?

I rather suspect that this T shirt may not sell as well as the other insect/creature ones in the range, as I think that there may be other pedants out there who wince when we see a mis-used apostrophe, not to mention shuddering at the thought of our children actually wearing one.

I'm trying not to take myself too seriously over this, but I always think of you being above this sort of thing, and it really 'bugged' me. It goes without saying that I spent a small fortune on other lovely items, but please tell me that you won't be re-ordering this one.

Best wishes,

Annner

OP posts:
SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:49

and can you spot teh typo in your email???

I hope that isn't a cut and paste of what you sent to them...

ProfessorGrammaticus · 04/04/2008 21:51

Not John Lewis!!

Annner · 04/04/2008 21:52

Oh, gah. Yup. Busted. Cut an' paste.

But if they can't get an apostrophe right, they're unlikely to pick on my -err- misuse of a hyphen...

It was hard to believe it grinning out from a T-shirt.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 04/04/2008 21:52

we're all doomed

Pavlovthecat · 04/04/2008 21:53

Oh oh oh I spotted a mistake too!
Its not a typo. Its missed word

SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:54
Annner · 04/04/2008 21:54

What will it be next? blardy

OP posts:
cantrytohelp · 04/04/2008 21:55

I bought some thank you cards in M&S after Christmas. Realised when ds was writing them that one said Thank's. Cue letter to M&S. They sent me a £15 gift card! Spent it on a new bra... happy days!

MaloryTowers · 04/04/2008 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:55

I am with Pavlov I think.

Maybe teh child is hte bug and hte T shirt belongs to teh child called bug???

Annner · 04/04/2008 21:56

Oh, poo. Put me out of my misery, someone. My tired eyes are reading what my brain wants them to see. And not, clearly, what is actually there...

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 04/04/2008 21:56
SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:56
Ledodgy · 04/04/2008 21:57

'Surely, surely, surely, somebody somewhere in your buying department is aware that you not need an apostrophe to indicate a plural?'

SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:57

No fair Ledodgy....this could have gone on a while

Annner · 04/04/2008 21:58

Nah. It was followed by a 3rd person plural verb. Can't remember now which one. Too excited after a whole day sans kids.

I spoke to the nice lady in the department who just rolled her eyes and went back to her clipboard.

Found my typo now. Worse things happen at sea.

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 04/04/2008 21:58

I am just proud I discovered it i'm rubbish normally and avoid pedants' corner like the plague!

Pavlovthecat · 04/04/2008 21:58

£15 for a pedant letter?! I only got £20 for a bit of grit in a sandwich I nearly broke a tooth on when pregnant! I clearly did not complain correctly!

Threadworm · 04/04/2008 22:00

This is an exciting new avenue: pedantry for profit. Do you think it would be possible to sue for the distress caused by poor grammar?

Annner · 04/04/2008 22:01

£15 quid? I just hope that I get a reply. But a voucher or two wouldn't get chucked in the recycling.

I couldn't find the shirt on Johnlewis.com, so maybe they are already sick of having it pointed out and have deleted the line.

OP posts:
cantrytohelp · 04/04/2008 22:01

I know! I was chuffed... was desperately in need of a new bra as well!

Pavlovthecat · 04/04/2008 22:02

Or maybe it got sold? To those who have 'Bug' as a nickname?

Annner · 04/04/2008 22:03

Hmmm... now there's an idea:

"sob, sniff... I was planning to buy a couple of T-shirts. But in my distress as being let down by my favourite store I found myself parting with nearly eighty quid. Sniff, sob. Please compensate me with a very nice handbag or new duvet cover"

Am I credible?

OP posts:
mousehole · 04/04/2008 22:04

This reply has been withdrawn

withdrawn at poster's request

Ledodgy · 04/04/2008 22:04

Do you remember that old joke from years ago?

Schoolboy was asked by his teacher where his homework was.

Boy: 'I ain't got me homework miss'

Teacher: 'I ain't?' 'Where is your Grammar?'

Boy: 'At home watchin' Telly miss.'