Mobile versionYou may also like WakeEd | Campus Notes | ACC Now | The Editors' Blog
Longtime N&O journalist Pam Nelson writes about language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. Readers can weigh in on what annoys them, too. Think of this as your online grammar class. Send e-mail to Pam at pam.nelson@newsobserver.com.
My husband visited the North Carolina mountains for a few days and came back with these images of signage mishaps. The second sign is particularly odd. It's on a manufactured item, so presumably hundreds more are out there with the same mistake.
Pam Nelson began her career as a writer in 1976 and has worked in various editing jobs at The News & Observer since 1987. She has won awards for her headline writing and has taught college classes in copy editing and seminars in grammar and usage. 
Comments
Apostrophe's ;)
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 21:11 — Anonymous (not verified)I blame Microsoft for lot's of the mistake's made with apostrophe's. Many people use Microsoft word processing software to check the spelling of their sentence's and they are always prompted "did you mean "men's?"
One of my favorites can be
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 13:04 — anon (not verified)One of my favorites can be observed in many "mens' wear" departments. Always makes me wonder how many mens they're talking about.
Did you expect more from a
Mon, 08/04/2008 - 14:00 — Anonymous (not verified)Did you expect more from a state where ground-up pig is considered great food?
Perhaps you should return to
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 13:02 — Anonymous (not verified)Perhaps you should return to the land from whence you came.
Smile when you say that
Mon, 08/04/2008 - 16:28 — Pam_Nelson (author)As a native North Carolinian, I could take offense at your comment. I could, but I won't.
I learned how to use apostrophes in North Carolina public schools.
Pam Nelson
Triangle Grammar Guide