greengrocer's apostrophe

English

Alternative forms

• greengrocers' apostrophe

Etymology

From the misuse of apostrophes on signs in greengrocers' shops.

Noun

greengrocer's apostrophe (plural greengrocer's apostrophes)

1. An incorrectly used apostrophe, especially one mistakenly used to form the plural of a noun, for example to write the plural of banana as banana's instead of bananas.
   • 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 Pari's Hotel is less an early case of greengrocer's apostrophe than a sardonic Pascalian allusion (pari in French meaning 'bet').

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

     When applied in English it produces greengrocer's apostrophes.

Translations

incorrectly used apostrophe

• French: apostrophe mal placée f
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: Deppenapostroph (de) m, Idiotenapostroph (de) m

See also

• apothecary's Latin