My brother and my dad cooked a delicious Mother's Day dinner last night. The top of the menu for the event read Mothers' Day. It's a holiday for all mothers, right? While the men in my family were grammatically correct, they were not historically accurate. According to this article from the Vancouver Sun, Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, insisted that the apostrophe in the holiday's name be placed between the "r" and the "s," indicating a singular possessive, "for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world." But, in this day and age, where non-traditional and blended families abound, I think it makes more sense for the holiday to refer to more than one mother. Thoughts? Incidentally, my mother is the best.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mothers Day, Mother's Day, or Mothers' Day?
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25 comments:
I can see the wisdom of both placements of the apostrophe. I have often wondered about this issue and appreciate your raising it. Almost as much as I appreciate the last sentence of your post.
wow, i'm glad i put some thought into that given that i knew the family watchdog would be all over it
Ah, very interesting. I would tend to stick with Anna Jarvis on this. My mother (who is actually the best) often responded to anybody who was not a child of of hers giving her a Mother's Day gift by saying to him, "I'm not your mother", a tradition I'm trying to carry on. :-)
I might give a Mother's Day gift to someone who wasn't my own mother, but I did think it was weird when a cashier said, "Happy Mother's Day" to me. She didn't know whether or not I have children!
I would stick with Mother's Day. My thinking is that it's the idea of a day to honor mothers, the singular idea of a Mother's Day.
The holiday honors more than one person (all mothers) so the name clearly must be a plural form -- either Mothers Day or Mothers' Day.
Why not "Mothers' Day," plural possessive?
My mother, who incidentally was the best, has now passed. However, she would be appalled if she thought Mother's Day were Mothers' Day.
I prefer Mother's Day because I interpret it to mean Day of the Mother, and therefore a singular mother does work because it stands for all mothers. Anyways, that's how my brain works! Also, can you please discuss New Years vs. New Year's? That has been an ongoing debate among my friends and I want to solve it once and for all.
I think it should be "New Year's" because it's short for "New Year's Day" or "New Year's Eve."
My daughter and I were discussing this question over Mother's Day brunch. (As you can see, we have decided which usage is correct.) We agreed that it could be either but that we preferred Mother's Day because it is more intimate, and because it is the "day that belongs to motherhood". I see it as singular and possessive, i.e., Mother's Day.
To me, the term could refer to one's own mother only if one usually calls her Mother rather than, say, Mum. And if it refers to the mother (as a symbol of all mothers) then the 'the' would have to be retained in the name of the day: The Mother's Day. So, logically, I have to go with Mothers' Day. I recognize that housemaid's knee and athlete's foot put a dent in my argument, but I would maintain that these do not connote all housemaids or all athletes. And Mothers Day (without an apostrophe) is no more acceptable that potatoes peeler or feetpath.
We were just talking about this at work and opted for the pragmatic option of "Mothering Sunday".
In response to Marni above, if you put an "s" on the end of "New Year" I think it should include an apostrophe, as it's short for "New Year's Eve/Day", not a plural. However, I prefer "New Year" (with no "s") but this is probably a British vs. American thing. Likewise I'd always use "anyway" and "sport" rather than "anyways" and "sports". But "maths" is definitely plural!!
Language is fun isn't it :)
Sorry, but I reckon that everyone preferring 'Mother's Day' over 'Mothers' Day' is being selfish rather than "intimate".
This is a day were everyone celebrates, mothers, mother-figures, step-mothers, remembers dead mothers etc.
Spread the love to all mothers !
On Sunday it's my Mother's Day, but it is also, worldwide, Mothers' Day!
I whole heartedly agree with Jaynie. And if we go one step further, we are instructed in God's word to honor our mothers (and fathers). So we should not only set aside the second Sunday in May to honor our mums, but we should honor them every day!
Why have an apostrophe at all? It is a day to honor our mothers, right? Would it not follow to call it Mothers Day.
I am able to see the knowledge of both placements of the apostrophe. I have regularly marvelled about this issue and appreciate your raising it. About as much as I appreciate the last sentence of your post.
It is not a matter of being intimate or of any other feelings you might have at the time....BUT of what is the RIGHT approach to the "problem" dare I say....if we are referring to ONE mother it will be mother's if referring to MORE THAN ONE then it is plural.
simple .....et.el MOTHERS'. Stick to the basic...
I propose that, like the rest of quirky English, it be both, depending on the context. When in public print and usage, discursive of the general day as applied culture wide, it be "Mothers' Day". However, when discussing the day in terms of celebrating personally, esp. referencing one's own sainted mother, and when used within the family or in the house, it should of course be "Mother's Day".
You know.. technically, you COULD leave off the apostrophe entirely when talking about a Day dedicated TO Mothers and not possessed BY Mothers; "Mothers Day" or the "Day for celebrating Mothers". Like "Flag Day".
If this is convoluted and confusing, then we have done it right as English is just that sort of language :)
I dont think it matters where the apostrophe is placed, the day should be only about your mum. Make it a special day for her!
It should be the way it was named - Mother's Day. The proper form of Veterans Day has no apostrophe, because that is the way those that created it wanted it. It goes by the wishes of they who create.
Happy Day to All Mothers, those that inspire, care, give, share, nurture and better the world, even if they have not had a child. GregRobin
That is so not cool. It is for every mom now whether miss brat-face like it or not. You don't be a douche and just wish moms in your family, do you?
I don't agree - I think it should be Mothers' Day. It is a nice sentiment to think that placing the ' before the s but that is not the role of the possessive apostrophe. The function of the apostrophe is to denote singular or plural - no one would argue that Mothers' Day is about one mother - it is about the collective. If we were commemorating a day for soldiers, we would not call it soldier's day but rather soldiers' day. Yes each Mum is special and wonderful and I mss mine terribly, but I would raher go with the correct grammar.
Thanks for the post.
Although it was from 2008, it's still relevant today.
I'll have to read the rest of your blog now.
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