The apostrophe and Mid-Devon council

I think this has already happened in some areas - Birmingham for one. Apostrophes will probably disappear from the English language because people no longer know how to use them. I hope it won't be in my lifetime.

Do those who design the signs not have a basic grounding in grammar? Removing apostrophes will just be the thin end of the wedge - before we know it, everything will be in text-speak.

Those who design signs have any knowledge of spelling and grammar? Good heavens, no.

A few years ago there was a road sign on road works in central Oxford saying
'Carridgeway repairs'

I wouldn't think apostrophes are necessary in road signs. The signs are there for a purpose and so long as everyone can understand them, then that's ok. Seems a waste of time and effort to put them in tbh.

It doesn't mean apostrophes will vanish from the English language. Books, newspapers, etc. etc. will still use them.

The name of our road should contain an apostrophe and does on one sign but not the other two! On one occassion completing an internet form it would not allow me to put the apostrophe in my address.

I do hope they don't disappear, they make sentences make sense but it is a shame they are used randomly. I failed to convince the Manager of Sainsburys where we used to live that he was not selling something belonging to CD

Just been having a surf around to see if Sainsbury's has an apostrophe. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, but on their web site and - I'm pretty sure - on the store fronts it does. Wonder how long it'll take for them to abandon it.

Re sign writers, there is a purveyor of disability equipment who comes to local markets. The sign on the his van reads "For your piece of mind."

I'm not sure I've ever seen an apostrophe on a local authority sign. (?)

OH don't get me started on this one. It drives me nuts. My own road name ought to have an apostrophe but doesn't.

At the risk of upsetting pedants I don't quite see the point of an apostrope. does it ever any any clarity to the meaning of aword or phrase?

Good point Nellie.

Nellie's cake. Nellies cake.

Nope. No point!

The girls called Nellie.

The girl's called Nellie.

Yes! That kind is necessary.

But you don't often see that on council signs.

How often have you seen:

"Would Nellie please place Nellie's litter in the bin provided"?

Nellie This is nothing personal!

like it!

I was just responding to Nellie's question! Not thinking about council signs...

Does not nellie
Always put litter
In the bin provided

Or does nellie
Scatter all her litter
Around the countryside?

Ana - Don't you get cross with me!

Nothing personal, jingl! I blame the weather....

They – that is, the council spokesperson – suggested that apostrophes can cause dangerous confusion in emergencies. Presumably, he or she was thinking of such things as an ambulance using satnav to go to St Stephen's – or should it be St Stephens – Avenue. However, the council has also decided that this ruling about apostrophes will apply only to new signs as it cannot afford to alter already existing ones. Chaos, i suspect, will reign supreme.

I have put a picture in the pictures thread.
It's of a van I saw last year parked at our local garden centre and is not a spoof [sigh]