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Signs of the time's
By adamg on Mon, 12/01/2008 - 10:55pm
It's kind of amazing to think this sign has stood in Dedham Square for 78 years now without anybody doing something about the errant apostrophe in "years."
Barbara Wallraff notices a similar apostrophic sin right in the middle of Harvard Square.
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Comments
That's just because the next
That's just because the next visitor the kiosk helps will also be the first.
I think one of the other
I think one of the other commenters there had a point. It's a small kiosk, so obviously it can only handle one visitor at a time.
just had a guy from the
just had a guy from the Sturbridge Historical Society visit my office that is trying to locate all the Tercentenary signs placed in 1930 (that is the reason for the sign in this story)
Tercentenary signs
Oddly enough I just happened to notice one of those tercentenary signs in Cambridge the other day. It is at the intersection of Linnaen St. and Mass. Ave. Something to do with the oldest house in Cambridge I think.
And yes, the Dedham sign proves we can't blame literacy going to hell on the "kids today".
Proof there's no 'dumbing down of America"
See that? We were already dumb 78.... year's .....ago!
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who and the what now?
This is basic grammar, people!
Once upon a time this was something you'd see every so often, and usually when the writer was confused between 'its' and 'it's'. Now, the problem is to the point where editors of major dailies seem incapable of discerning the difference between plural and possessive forms of a noun. (and don't get me started on the plural possessive!)
Somehow, using the apostrophe as the default has become the norm, whether it's correct or not. If I had a nickel for every time I saw this mistake on public signs.....grrrrr.
As to the dumbing down part, it appears as if the language began its slow crawl to mediocrity some 70 years ago; I always thought people were more conscious of their grammar usage in past eras. Guess not.
Dedham signs
About 15 years ago, near that same spot, a sign was put up warning people parking on meters that there would be strict parking "inforcement." The Dedham Times, formerly in an office near both signs, photographed the latter and put it in the paper. It remained up for several years anyway.
For those who may remember, it was high on a telephone pole in front of the old Providence Highway bridge that crossed High Street. According to Google Street View, there was most recently a No U-Turn sign on the pole.
If they do snip out the errant apostrophe's
They could ship 'em to the Boston Garden, which is now full of "womens rooms" and "mens rooms".
Do what??
I was just there at the end of last season and Gino still played. Who said they don't play Gino any more??
Gino
I've been to two Celtics games this season (both wins), and they didn't play Gino at either one! The guy sitting next to me has season tickets, and he said they aren't playing Gino this season. He was upset by this, as was I. I think it's a good-luck charm!
Also, that Dedham sign is horrible! Did you take the photo, Adamg? I might have to use it on Apostrophe Catastrophes if you don't mind.
Yeppers
Feel free to post a co'py.
Which games?
Gino doesn't make an appearance unless it's a blowout. Even last night, it was a big win, but it was close until 3 minutes to go, and there were no more timeouts, so no Gino. This isn't Fenway, when you have the Inviolable Law of Sweet Caroline, which leads to dingbats singing "So Good! So Good!" when the Sox are down 12-2.
Gino and Apstrophe Catastrophes
Adam, I posted about the Dedham sign apostrophe catastrophe here: http://apostrophecatastrophes.blogspot.com/2008/12...
Thanks for letting me post it!
Michael, I went to several games last year at which they played Gino right after the final whistle if it was a close game.
Quit Disrespectin The Sine
I think your all loosing it. Whuts so bad about the sine? You can unnerstan it, rite? Whuts you're problem?
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
are you going off on a tangent?
or did someone forget to cosine your student lone?
perhaps
it took 78 years for them to find observers with this much time on their hands?
Oh, sure
Took me hours to get that shot. And then all that time in the darkroom developing it! :-).
Give 'em some
Give 'em some credit for properly indenting the paragraph, and for having 2 spaces between the period at the end of a sentence and the first letter of the next sentence. If only certain web sites would allow that.
It Should Probably Be Noted...
... that this may have been the last time that people from Watertown and Roxbury cooperated in a joint venture.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com