QUESTION FOR MISTER LANGUAGE PERSON
Diverdowndoc sends the photo below and asks: "Is this Official North Florida restroom sign correct?"
The answer is: Yes, that is correct in north Florida, at least in those areas where they have indoor plumbing.
Missing "them"
Posted by: Mahatma Kane Jeeves | December 13, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Is the "Employee's" a contraction or is it possessive?
Posted by: pogo | December 13, 2007 at 09:09 AM
This sign is meaningless. It infers that contracted and possessed employee's' were at work before and intend to return to work after .... whatever it was he/she/it/they may or may not have been doing in between.
Posted by: Shark Tooth John | December 13, 2007 at 09:13 AM
I forgot to include my name!! That was me, diverdowndoc!!
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 09:15 AM
And for the kids you should have a scaf . . .
Posted by: Mahatma Kane Jeeves | December 13, 2007 at 09:17 AM
I don't not see nuthing wrong their.
Posted by: mommysaurus | December 13, 2007 at 09:18 AM
Eeeeeeek!! Run! Flee!
Glad to know that I still notice those things, though, after spending years reading franglais.
If ONLY I could get the French to understand that it's information, not informations!
And that in English we do NOT put a space before : or ! or ?
Posted by: AmerInParis | December 13, 2007 at 09:18 AM
"Missing "them"
Posted by: Mahatma Kane Jeeves | 09:09 AM on December 13, 2007"
Well-spotted! I can hear my southern relatives saying "Wash them thar hands right this minute!"
Posted by: AmerInParis | December 13, 2007 at 09:20 AM
I see the problem. Unnecessary use of an "!"
That is all too common around here.
Bob
Jacksonville, FL!
Posted by: Bob | December 13, 2007 at 09:27 AM
the language Po-leece should pay those folk's a visit, over their in northern fla. when you are pres. dave, the language po-leece should rule. and why dont we ever see you on any of the 'debates' with the other candidates, eh??? they're afraid of you....
Posted by: queensbee | December 13, 2007 at 09:27 AM
Looks like their Boss is trying to CON workers into thinking--- they don't have a SH'TTY job.
Posted by: yoigle | December 13, 2007 at 09:29 AM
This means that is the must of the employees to wash . . . ah, fuhgeddaboutit!
Posted by: Mahatma Kane Jeeves | December 13, 2007 at 09:34 AM
I say the Kingsmans version is the best.
What? We're done blogging about that? Oh. Sorry, their's no excuse for that.
Posted by: Yasmin | December 13, 2007 at 09:36 AM
It is obvious to that the person who wrote that sign went to school here and did their post grad work here.
GO HUSKIES!!!
Posted by: Recovering 24 Addict | December 13, 2007 at 09:36 AM
If they wanted to go for a trifecta, they could put MUST in quotation marks for emphasis.
Posted by: Betsy | December 13, 2007 at 09:37 AM
throws a me up to myself
Posted by: Recovering 24 Addict | December 13, 2007 at 09:37 AM
That picture looks like a mug shot. Who got arrested?
Posted by: daisymae | December 13, 2007 at 09:38 AM
*snork* at Betsy
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 09:40 AM
grrrr.....grrrr....skroll down to pikshur.....grrrrr.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 09:47 AM
Werewolf?...
There wolf.....
Posted by: russellmc | December 13, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Is anyone else getting flagged by the bot?
Posted by: Esther | December 13, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Thankfully, most of the "employee's" are actually contract workers. The "there" there is moot.
I would love to see what the menu says.
Posted by: Not My Usual Alias | December 13, 2007 at 09:58 AM
Annie, I'm always participanting. Mostly when I watch
p0rnartsy films.This was in Jacksonville, right??
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Igor, would you give me a hand with the bags?
[doing a Groucho Marx] Certainly, you take the blonde and I'll take the one in the turban.
*Link omitted due to bot assuming it is spam
Posted by: JugglerOfGeese | December 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM
I saw this baby in T@rget about a week ago. I have calmed down slightly since first seeing it, due to recovery time, sleep and consumption of alcohol, but I'm still twitching a little, just thinking about it.
*
proffread'sproofreads**makes more Starbucks Christmas Blend and resumes online holiday shopping*
Posted by: KDF | December 13, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I am, Esther. For some reason the bot hates me.
*Gorrammit, this is not spam.*
Posted by: JugglerOfGeese | December 13, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I always loved that one, Annie!! BTW, my aunt thinks you are hilarious, too!
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Friday 12:01 AM here in Aussie. Just saw Russell Crowe on--- David Letterman SHOW.--- Russ behaved himself (phew) but he only chucks telephones (when he has a wobbly )--so I suppose there was no worry about him picking up the microphone.--- Good thing cause Dave is adept at handling that pencil.
Posted by: yoigle | December 13, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Annie, about your link - *SNORNK*
That is priceless, and I LOVE that you kept the original certificate (or as my daughter spells it, "sirtifikit")
Posted by: KDF | December 13, 2007 at 10:07 AM
KDF, I feel your pain. That is unbelievable.
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 10:08 AM
KDF - when my kids were in school, we had a third grade teacher write a letter (can't even remember what it was for). The spelling and grammar were so bad we couldn't use it.
Posted by: daisymae | December 13, 2007 at 10:11 AM
KDF - in this case, assault on an apostrophe would have been justified. But I would've bought the dang thing for the principal who signed my son's spelling bee certificate. Maybe I'll go shopping today for it. ;)
private note to DDD - thank you - I posted a comment on your blog thanking your aunt. I'll send you the link when my column comes out.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 10:11 AM
I can't wait to read it! Congrats!!
BTW- she said it again- just wanted you to know.
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 10:13 AM
there's a wonderful book, came out a couple years ago: Eats, Shoots and Leaves. cant think of the author's name, you can google it - Lynn somebody. anyway, she's a wily brit and very bold! she would go into stores which had poorly written signs, and let them know... and correct them. I would LOVE to do that!!
Posted by: queensbee | December 13, 2007 at 10:16 AM
wut? of course this is the official north florida sign, albeit, it's supposed to have pictures for those who can't read. if it were the south florida sign, it would be in spanish.
Posted by: crossgirl | December 13, 2007 at 10:24 AM
crossgirl, si.
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 10:27 AM
I see a typo. It's warsh, not wash. geez.
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 10:28 AM
*zips in*™
queensbee, I have that book. It 's excellent. Author is Lynne Truss. She wrote another one: Talk to the Hand, which is amusing, but not as good as the first one, IMO.
Posted by: Eleanor | December 13, 2007 at 10:32 AM
So, as I understand it now the sign should read:
EMPLOYEE'S
"Must" warsh them there hands
before returning to work.
Right?
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 10:34 AM
ddd... you spelled 'there' rong. It shood be 'thar.' And it shood be spelled werk, to.
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:36 AM
EMPLOYEE'S
"Must" warsh them thar hands
before returning to werk.
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Baron - did all that ther misspellin' help you get past the bot?
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 10:41 AM
So just their hands are going back to work? Not their brains, obviously.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 10:42 AM
qb - I bought that for my mom for Christmas. It's great!
Posted by: DeskDiva | December 13, 2007 at 10:42 AM
ddd, I beleif that before should be espelled...befer anyone??
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 10:43 AM
AWbh... Bot? Whut Bot?
*ducks*
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:44 AM
AWbh... Bot? Whut Bot?
*ducks*
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:45 AM
AWbh... bot? Whut bot?
*ducks*
...Well, duckin' din't werk. Got Bot Focked on this one.
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:46 AM
AWbh... bot? Whut bot?
*ducks*
...Well, duckin' din't werk. Got Bot Focked on this one.
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:47 AM
AWbh... bøt? Whüt bøt?
*dúx*
...Well, dückîn' dîn't werk. Got Bõt Fôcked on this one.
Posted by: Bãrön vønKlýff | December 13, 2007 at 10:50 AM
diver, where is the expanded photo journal? You've been home for days....! ;-P
Posted by: Meditrina | December 13, 2007 at 10:51 AM
That has to be a joke. No one is stupid enough to make two grammatical errors on one sign.
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Hiya Med!!
Check my site and look at the left column towards the bottom under translation. They are all up now. And I got home yesterday!!
Siouxie- beefer? that sounds like a certain jailbird...
Edgar. I took the picture- it is real.
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Aside from the superfluous apostrophe, it should be written 'them there hands'. Also 'work' needs to be replaced with 'stand by the water cooler' or 'surf the internet'.
Posted by: KOW | December 13, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Now wait jest a durn minnut hear... ain't it suppose a be "hand's" to match "employee's" fer goshsakes?
Posted by: klezmerphan | December 13, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Okay, that comment took forever to get around the bot. Is there anyone else on the bot's naughty list? Anyone else getting the bot coal for the season? Who's bringing the lighter fluid?
*shakes fist at bot, prepares to beg for permission to post this rant*
Posted by: KOW | December 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
I want believe you ddd, but it seems a bit farfetched.
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 11:10 AM
ddd, Beefer Sutherland??
*smacks Edgar for calling ddd a fibber*
That's her ghostly reflection on the picture, silly!
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Many things happen in Florida that no one would believe.
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
All y'all are missin the spellin of "han's". Ya gots "werk" n "thar" n stuff. wazzupwiddat?
Posted by: Shart Tooth John | December 13, 2007 at 11:21 AM
After the 4th try and changing the post around, I've forgotten what I was going to say...it was something like this:
*What happens in Florida, stays in Florida.*
What part of this is SP@M????
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 11:25 AM
"That's her ghostly reflection on the picture, silly!"
Hmm, so it is. I suppose some people are just dumb.
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Shark tooth: The sign implies. You infer.
Posted by: Howard from Broward | December 13, 2007 at 11:30 AM
The dumb people being the sign writers, not diverdowndoc, who clearly isn't.
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Good think you clarified that, Edgar. I was about to smack ya again. ;-)
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 11:34 AM
"there hands" can be rearranged as "nether dash", which is significant,because "nether dash" would make a great name for a rock band
Posted by: sean | December 13, 2007 at 11:35 AM
moreover it should be "there hand's"
Posted by: sean | December 13, 2007 at 11:37 AM
*smacks Edgar anyway*
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 11:37 AM
It's called the "Grocer's Apostrophe" after the most frequent abusers. Frankly, I hate to see evidence of poor reading skills among people who cook and store food.
Posted by: Alien8 | December 13, 2007 at 11:40 AM
um, if more than one grocer abused an apostrophe, shouldn't it be called the Grocers' apostrophe'?
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Baby steps, people! First, you walk upright. Next, you stop mating with your nearest relatives. After that, you get employed. Soon thereafter, you learn about indoor plumbing. Eventually you learn about hygeine, such as handwashing and brushing your tooth. Proper punctuation and spelling will eventually arrive.
Posted by: Hammond Rye | December 13, 2007 at 11:52 AM
*WAVES @ Hammie and gives him the i befer e SMACK*
off to lunch!
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 11:54 AM
We have a lot of people in Georgia who are still struggling with step 2.
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 11:57 AM
At least the sign doesn't say "Employee's Must Wash There Hands After Returning to Work!"
Posted by: Cheesewiz | December 13, 2007 at 11:59 AM
As for the child's scaf; they froze their "r's"off in Michigan.
Posted by: JEC666 | December 13, 2007 at 12:01 PM
But then there would be an apostrophe for each grocer who abused, so then wouldn't it be "grocers' apostrophes"? And then, each apostrophe would have a grocer abusing it. Oh, and some grocers might be serial apostrophe abusers (or abusers of apostrophes, just to be clear on our plurals), so then you'd have apostrophes' grocers...
My head is starting to spin with nonsense and apostrophes ...must be time to go home!
Posted by: AmerInParis | December 13, 2007 at 12:06 PM
*WAVES @ HAMMIE!!!*
I haven't been here much in the mornings lately, so I've missed you. Hope you're (not your) still here!
Posted by: DeskDiva | December 13, 2007 at 12:14 PM
I have to go nap to prepare for my overnight shift- have fun without me!!
Posted by: diverdowndoc | December 13, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Annie, it is in fact called the Grocers' Apostrophe, but it doesn't have to be. It is Baker's Dozen. It just depend on whether each individual grocer is being criticized or all grocers as a whole.
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Sleep tight, ddd!
Posted by: DeskDiva | December 13, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Could've sworn I wrote "Depends."
Posted by: Edgar Greenberg | December 13, 2007 at 12:30 PM
*smoochies, ddd!*
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 12:31 PM
*Waves @ Siouxie!!!*
*Waves @ DeskDiva!!!*
*Quietly tucks in DDD and tiptoes out...*
Posted by: Hammond Rye | December 13, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Howie tB,
Y'all figgered that out on yer own, didja?
Posted by: Shark Tooth John | December 13, 2007 at 12:44 PM
I've had an epiphany that the misplaced apostrophe is nothing short of a catastrophe.
Posted by: gjd | December 13, 2007 at 01:01 PM
ddd, you should capitalize the "b" in before b/c it is at the beginning of a line.
Posted by: gjd | December 13, 2007 at 01:03 PM
there is a sign in coconut grove that says "no rite turn"...i think english should be a recquistion for a sign ordering job
Posted by: chaz | December 13, 2007 at 01:08 PM
or a 'wreckquisition.'
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 01:14 PM
no rite turn, eh?? meaning church stuff has to stay in the center isle [nave]??? that one's confusing. and thanks for the name of the writer on the grammar book. it is a doozy. and ddd - i thought they only said 'warsh' in warshington dc.
Posted by: queensbee | December 13, 2007 at 01:30 PM
I'm enjoying this thread and feeling less alone with my spelling OCD. Thanks.
Posted by: tinkerbell | December 13, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Tink, it's comforting to find your own people, isn't it? Yes. :)
Posted by: KDF | December 13, 2007 at 01:56 PM
If we give in on misspellings, the squirrel-terrorists win.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 02:03 PM
could they be squirrelorists?
Posted by: Cheesewiz | December 13, 2007 at 02:23 PM
I gave up fighting spelling wars when a gas station had "Happy Holilidays" printed on their window, in gold letters. When I pointed it out to the clerk, he shrugged and said "Isn't that the way it is spelled?"
But what about "Text mail" writing? Does seeing "D00d!" and "We R BBF!" bother anyone else as much as it does me?
I'll be going now. I feel a spell coming on.
Posted by: PirateBoy | December 13, 2007 at 02:23 PM
PB, whtevr r u tlking abt?
*self-snork*
Sorry, that was just mean. :)
Posted by: KDF | December 13, 2007 at 02:27 PM
*self-snorking* in pubic? Please, get a rheume.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 13, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Oops! Please exsneeze my inphlegmmatory manners.
Posted by: KDF | December 13, 2007 at 02:42 PM
KDF - idk. he gts so wrkd up ovr nthng.
(OK. It was almost PAINFUL to type that.)
Posted by: DeskDiva | December 13, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Oh loook! a new thread-------->
Posted by: Siouxie | December 13, 2007 at 03:00 PM
ok, newbie here (sorry)...wut's a bot?
Posted by: technut | December 13, 2007 at 03:09 PM