Kid Is Eat Free

Matthew spotted this badly punctuated sign at a hibachi restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Despite the badly punctuated sign, the food was impressive, Matthew reports.

Thanks, Matthew!

Triple Catastrophe!

Laura spotted this triple apostrophe catastrophe at a steak house in Fort Worth, Texas.

That sign could kill someone's appetite!

Thanks, Laura!

Oh, What a Night

First of all, I'm not sure what kind of a ladies night would take place at a pottery studio unless a reenactment of that scene in Ghost were happening. So, this establishment clearly doesn't understand what ladies want, nor even how to spell the word ladies.

Also, I believe the word they are looking for is complimentary (a.k.a. free), not complementary, which means matching or enhancing something well.

Incidentally, my idea of a ladies night always involves drag queens.

Thanks to Don for finding this catastrophe in Eugene, Oregon, and posting it to the Apostrophe Catastrophes facebook group.

Canadian Catastrophe

Joe spotted this catastrophe at a Days Inn in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

I think it's safe to assume that more than one employee works at the hotel.

Thanks, Joe!

Happy National Punctuation Day!

Today is National Punctuation Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

Today's unusual catastrophe comes from Canada, where apparently National Punctuation Day does not apply.

Thanks to Kevin for sending this one! I don't think I've ever seen an apostrophe and an s added to a word that is already plural. I guess they have a plethora of boat cruises at this place.

College Visit Catastrophe

As an institution of higher learning, a college should have a special obligation to demonstrate proper punctuation in its materials. University of Texas at Tyler has failed in this regard, at least on this particular flyer.

I would hope the English Department knows its grammar a bit better than the Admissions Office does.

Thanks to Ricky for sending in this catastrophe!

Party Foul

Fun is this company's business, but apparently punctuation is not.

Thanks to Bill for sending me this catastrophe from Alabama.

Calling All Farmer Is

It's open to debate whether or not farmers' market needs an apostrophe, but the apostrophe in farmer's in this ad is certainly out of place.

Artisans somehow escaped unscathed.

Thanks to Alan for sending in this catastrophe!

Gold Medal for Bad Punctuation

Emily was dismayed when she discovered this triple apostrophe catastrophe on a shop window in a London mall.

Athletes and Olympic fans from all over the world may have seen this sign, which is a bad way to represent England.

To quote a former U.S. president who is making a big speech tonight, I feel your pain, Emily. But thanks for sharing the catastrophe with us.

Sunday Is

Charles in Denver sent in this apostrophe catastrophe from a market that has special hours on Sundays.

Two out of three apostrophes on this sign are correct at least. Incidentally, instead of using an apostrophe in 'til, you can just write till. It's a word. Really!

Thanks, Charles.

Boy Is and Curl Is

Craig sent me this odd sign from a hair salon.

I assume that this is a double apostrophe catastrophe that is meant to say "Boys and Curls," but that name, even if grammatically correct, still makes me cringe.

Thanks, Craig!

Keeping Up with the Jones' What?

I've been very busy this summer chillaxing on the beach, so I've been neglecting Apostrophe Catastrophes. I apologize, dear readers! Luckily, I found an apostrophe catastrophe in the Glamour I was reading on a Nantucket beach.

My brain might be mush right now from the excessive eating, drinking, and sunbathing, but shouldn't this just be "keeping up with the Joneses?"

Off-Shore Proofreading

The Caymen Islands may specialize in banking, but apparently the proofreading there is lacking.

I didn't try the smoothie's [sic], but the beach was gorgeous, and I want to go back immediately.

How About Supporting Your Local English Teacher Instead?

An anonymous reader sent me this classic photo that she took in Vermont in 2005.

The rider with the catastrophic t-shirt appears to be from New Hampshire, of course. Its state slogan certainly isn't "Punctuate Well or Die!"

Thanks to the person who sent in this catastrophe!

Plumbing Need Is

I hope Mandy didn't risk her life trying to capture this apostrophe catastrophe while driving, but it is a pretty funny one.

Besides the apostrophe catastrophe, this slogan has some capitalization errors, and it's a bit strange to refer to how people's plumbing needs cause them to be "uptight." What would Freud have to say about this?

Thanks, Mandy!