Alden writes:
Spotted this at my local grocery store. I think this particular store has one employee in charge of most of their signs — it’s consistent handwriting, and the signs frequently contain some deviation from standard English that makes me wince. In fact, I was so busy wincing over the “tree’s” that it wasn’t until I got home and uploaded this pic that I realized it was also “Christmass.” Perhaps my anonymous sign-making friend is extra devout and wishes to remind us of the origins of this holiday?
#1 by Anonymous on December 5, 2007 - 1:33 pm
…or maybe he likes writing ass.
#2 by Joel on December 5, 2007 - 2:24 pm
Shouldn’t Alden have said “its consistent handwriting” to indicate possession?
Also, it should be “its signs,” not “their signs” because the store is singular. Sorry, I’m being mean today.
#3 by Alden on December 5, 2007 - 3:35 pm
No — I meant “it is consistent handwriting.” Trust me, I would not mess up it’s and its. And you’re right, “their” is not technically correct, but as I was referring to the unknown sign-writer it should be “his” or “her.” In conventional spoken English, we often use the pronoun “their” in the case of a person of unknown gender. So yeah, I stand by every word of my email. Thanks, though!
Sorry, I’m being defensive today.
#4 by Alden on December 5, 2007 - 3:37 pm
Oops, I forgot where I used the “their.” But it’s not wrong either; I’m not speaking of the store as a non-human entity, but as a collective of people, some of whom can’t spell or punctuate.
#5 by doahleigh.com on December 6, 2007 - 2:41 pm
That’s just sad. No, funny.