GRAMMAR COP
Complaint: Failure to use an apostrophe in the construction of plural possessive, a misdemeanor; Usage of an apostrophe in a plural noun, a misdemeanor; Rendering errors permanent by affixing them to a sign; Placing sign on a sidewalk so as to expose innocent passers-by to grammatical dysfunction.
Defendant: International Martial Arts Center.
Report: Incident occurred during a routine patrol between headquarters and a place that was not headquarters. Officer covertly took the incriminating photograph so as not to incur the wrath of martial artists who always want to practice that stuff on people.
Fine: $173 and two points deducted from the positive self-image of the guilty party.
Brian Sack
I started Banterist in 2003 after this conversation with my cat. It led to all sorts of good things.
I agree with your verdict, but wonder if the offenders might gain clemency for the correct usage of the all-too-often-neglected hyphen in “self-image.”
Does this site get docked for spelling “d’oh” wrong (at least according to the TV show that made the “d’oh” phrase popular)? ;)
When, oh when, will you Americans learn to spell CENTRE!!
When you non-Americans convince us that it’s pronounced “centre” and not “center”