Posted on 11/10/2009 6:16:00 PM PST by Steelfish
Apostrophist Corrects Punctuation On Street Signs
Stefan Gatward, a 62-year-old accountant, has been called a vandal and graffiti artist after he corrected the punctuation on his street signs.
By Chris Irvine 18 Aug 2009
Frustrated by living in "St Johns Close", in Turnbridge Wells, Mr Gatward decided to buy a can of black paint and a craft brush before correcting the name to "St John's Close".
Mr Gatward, a former soldier, said: "I think one should stand up for things and language is worth standing up for. The trouble is that everything is dumbed down now.
"I've lived on St John's Close for 14 months now and have had to look at those signs every day. I decided enough was enough." While some neighbours have praised his actions, others have been less appreciative, including another ex-soldier.
"He asked me what I was doing and told me I was wrong," Mr Gatward said. "He called me a vandal and a graffiti artist. "He tried to tell me that the post office would not deliver to the street if you put an apostropheo n the address."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Eats, shoots, and leaves!
This falls into an obsolescent, but once flourishing genre of news story, the “Ain’t those British eccentric” variety. Like the guy who drilled seven holes in his head and lived!! (He killed himself by drilling eight holes in his head.) Google “British Eccentric” to get a taste.
People are funny.
Gatward’s name was first spelled Gateward, then Gatweard.
Perhaps of interest to your apostrophism list
I admit, seeing it incorrect everyday would annoy me too and having it fixed would feel like having a burr removed from my noggin.
Thanks for posting this info. I’ll be sure to stop at seven!
BTW: I ALWAYS spell it “Devil’s Lake,” ever since I lived there.
So they have banned apostrophes for “simplicity.”
How about just grunting and pointing. It’s a lot simpler than talking.
LOLOL! Thanks Dysart...
This guy should have asked the city's traffic engineering department before assuming he knew what he was doing.
Point well made.
Hurrah for Mr. Gatward!
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