As
a general rule I'm not an advocate of vigilantism. However, when it comes to the grammar vigilante
roaming the streets of Bristol - The Apostrophiser - I think he's got a point,
but maybe not the best superhero name or power.
In
case you're unfamiliar with the story, this chap alters signs on shops etc and
corrects crimes against grammar and punctuation.
One
particular example - Amys Nail's - I thought was beyond redemption. But no, he took his trusty apostrophe-altering
gadget and added in the correct one whilst removing the rogue item, thus
transforming it into the far more appealing Amy's Nails.
With
admirable attention to detail, he even colour matches the patches used to mask
the unwanted punctuation marks, so it's not really criminal damage either is it?
He's
been labelled the Banksy of grammar, mainly because his identity remains a
secret to all but close members of his family.
I think he probably had to tell them what was going on, as I'd have been
a bit suspicious too if my husband kept disappearing during the night carrying
a large wooden pole and a trestle table.
When
you think about it, as I have at length, it's a form of art - he's taking an
ugly, grammatically incorrect eyesore which causes people like him and me
physical pain, and makes it all better, literally by sticking a band-aid on it.
Yes,
time to come clean - I too suffer from this affliction, and have the urge to
correct crimes against the English language wherever I see them. I draw the line at roaming the streets at
night, however; I'm obviously not that committed.
It
does make walking around a traditional market virtually impossible though, as I
just can't stand all the signs reading 'tomato's, potato's' and the like. Similarly, some of the English I see on
websites also makes me cringe - does nobody proof-read anything anymore?
I
just hope that The Apostrophiser isn't on social media - some of the misuses of
grammar and punctuation on there are beyond even his superpowers!
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