English

Noun

greengrocer's apostrophe ‎(plural greengrocer's apostrophes)

1. An apostrophe used incorrectly to form the plural of a noun through ignorance of the use of the apostrophe.
   • 1998, Richard M. Hogg; et al, The Cambridge History of the English Language, page 121:

     It is hardly surprising that these conventions seem to be in rapid collapse, with what has been called "the greengrocer's apostrophe" (apple's 60p, Antique's, linguistic's, and perhaps even mean't, all personally attested) […]

   • 1993, British Film Institute, Sight and Sound Film Review

     […] sign advertising the Pari's Hotel is less an early case of greengrocer's apostrophe than a sardonic Pascalian allusion (pari in French meaning 'bet').

   • 2004, Joy Burrough-Boenisch, Righting English That's Gone Dutch

     When applied in English it produces greengrocer's apostrophes.

Translations

See also

• apothecary's Latin