greengrocer's apostrophe

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From the use of such an apostrophe in signs in (some) greengrocers’ shops.

[edit] Noun

Wikipedia

greengrocer's apostrophe (plural greengrocers' apostrophes)

1. The incorrect use of an apostrophe to form the plural of a word through ignorance of the use of the apostrophe.
   • 1998, Richard M. Hogg; et al, The Cambridge History of the English Language, page 121:

     It is hardly surprising that these conventions seem to be in rapid collapse, with what has been called "the greengrocer's apostrophe" (apple's 60p, Antique's, linguistic's, and perhaps even mean't, all personally attested) ...

   • 1993, British Film Institute, Sight and Sound Film Review

   ...sign advertising the Pan's Hotel is less an early case of greengrocer's apostrophe than a sardonic Pascalian allusion (pan in French meaning 'bet').

   • 2004, Joy Burrough-Boenisch, Righting English That's Gone Dutch

   When applied in English it produces greengrocer's apostrophes.