Five Catastrophes for the Price of One!

Pete in Exeter, England, sent in this multi-faceted catastrophe.



This shop sells a wide variety of products but keeps making the same punctuation error. Regardless, it looks like a fascinating place, and I kind of want to go there. Workwear and clothing to wear for a hen night? Maybe it is owned by The Village People.

Thanks, Pete!

Multiple Comma Catastrophe

This shop, near Shrewsbury, England, tried to commit apostrophe catastrophes but wound up with comma catastrophes instead.



Some people in the Apostrophe Catastrophes Facebook group are calling this one of the worst signs they have ever seen.

Thanks to Ian for sending in this instant classic!

Victoria's Secret Catastrophe

Lynette sent in this shocking apostrophe catastrophe from Victoria's Secret's website.



Victoria, here's a secret for you: adding an apostrophe does not make a word plural. And, furthermore, the plural of "body" is "bodies." With the profits you make from your $50 bras, you might want to consider hiring a proofreader.

Proper punctuation is sexy.

Thanks, Lynette!

Starbucks of Tampa

Jan found this apostrophe catastrophe at a Starbucks in the Tampa airport.

She said she wrote to Starbucks to alert them to the error -- in hopes of receiving a coupon -- but got no response. Alas...

Thanks, Jan!

Let's Learn to Punctuate

Ethan sent this large-print apostrophe catastrophe from a children's book.

I guess the editors let this error slip by. Plus, there should be a comma before the quotation.

Thanks, Ethan!

Scottish Truck Catastrophe

Ali sent in this photo of a catastrophic truck in Dundee.



BT could argue that auto's is a contraction for automobiles, but classe's is definitely a catastrophe.

Thanks, Ali!

Child's T-Shirt Catstrophe

Emily sent in this picture of a t-shirt that her friend's son was wearing.



This is wrong on so many levels.

Thanks, Emily!

I Ate Rib's with This Dude

This deli in Kitchener, Ontario, may have the best ribs in town, but it seems to have the worst punctuation.



Thanks to Josh for sending this one in.

All Vowels Plus an Erroneous Apostrophe

Craig spotted this major apostrophe catastrophe in a Toyota ad.



I guess they can't afford a proofreader if they are practically giving trucks away.

Thanks, Craig!

Idiot Bumper Sticker Catastrophe

Alan spotted this bumper sticker, which was obviously created by an idiot.



Regardless of your politics, you can't deny that this bumper sticker is idiotic based on its punctuation.

Thanks, Alan!

Boat Catastrophe / Triumph

As a Bostonian/Cantabrigian, I haven't felt like making light of apostrophe catastrophes in the past week. Life has been sad, scary, and surreal, among other things. But nothing seemed funny. The bombers lived only blocks from my house, and some of my friends who live in Watertown were having their houses searched by the SWAT Team. I couldn't use "catastrophe" in the same sentence as "apostrophe" anymore. But finally today, the Onion was able to find some levity in the situation, while also mocking Taylor Swift. Thank you, Onion.

And then, as fate would have it, Bradley sent me this boat-related catastrophe from the Great Salt Lake Marina.



I'd like to dedicate this apostrophe catastrophe to Dave Henneberry, who clearly has excellent attention to detail and is a very responsible boat owner. As soon as the cops lifted the ban on leaving one's house, Dave went outside and found the second bomber hiding in his boat.

Thank you, Dave, for helping Watertown breathe a collective sigh of relief, and thanks to Bradley for sending in this maritime apostrophe catastrophe that reminded me of Dave and helped me regain a sense of normalcy.

Misogynistic Apostrophe Catastrophe

My friend Kate alerted me to this news story about a state representative from New Hampshire who made an offensive comment about women. The worst part about this incident is that Peter Hansen refers to all women as "vagina's," making his statement even more catastrophic. Clearly Hansen knows nothing about women, or punctuation.



Thanks, Kate!

The Girl Is a Catastrophe

I love when readers send me apostrophe catastrophes committed by companies that I already look down upon, such as Walmart, but it saddens me when I receive catastrophes from stores that I like. So, I shared in Shawn's disappointment upon finding this one at Kohl's.



Shawn writes, "I put everything back and left, I was so disappointed." That's dedication, Shawn. If I had one of those 30%-off coupons, I think I would turn a blind eye to the apostrophe catastrophe. But you better shape up, Kohl's, or I'll just buy everything from Target and Old Navy.

Thanks, Shawn!

Let's Get Some (Catastrophic) Shoes

Robert sent in this giant apostrophe catastrophe from a shoe advertisement.



I like the sentiment, but that apostrophe placement is as wrong as wearing white shoes after Labor Day. Remember, it's means "it is."

Thanks, Robert!

Gas Station Catastrophe

This gas station may be a "full service propane dealer," but it certainly does not serve up proper punctuation.



Thanks to Dan for sending in this catastrophe!