|
|
Post by Tone on Apr 30, 2008 21:05:24 GMT
I happened to read a "forthcoming review" (or whatever) of one of the TV soaps ("Emmerdale" -- it's about a village in "the Dales", I think) and particularly liked this comment:
"And tonight, he [Grayson] and Purdy have yet another of their fiery but grammatically perfect arguments. They may want to kill each other but they'd never dream of resorting to improper sentence construction."
At least the reviewer noticed!
It reminded me of those old Hollywood gangster films (think early Frank Sinatra) where you could always tell the boss's subordinate "hoods" by their rather strange clearly enunciated diction!
Tone
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul Doherty on Apr 30, 2008 21:42:54 GMT
I noticed that on The Apprentice tonight one of the teams spent three hours trying to decide where (if anywhere) the apostrophe should go in National Singles Day. Sir Alan was unimpressed. They phoned the Daily Telegraph but no-one seemed available.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bertie on Apr 30, 2008 22:55:07 GMT
I noticed that on The Apprentice tonight one of the teams spent three hours trying to decide where (if anywhere) the apostrophe should go in National Singles Day. Sir Alan was unimpressed. They phoned the Daily Telegraph but no-one seemed available. You beat me to it posting about this. There was some dispute about whether it was three or four hours they delayed whilst trying to resolve the problem - plenty of time in which to have consulted this or the original forum. They, or rather the team leader in the absence of any sound advice, decided on Single's Day. |
|
|
|
Post by Barry on May 1, 2008 9:03:38 GMT
I love it when soaps demonstrate the calibre of their writers. There have been (and still are) some beautifully crafted, comedic lines in Coronation Street, and the character of Dot in Eastenders is a permanent source of delightful phrase and fable. A few of my favourite examples are:
Phyllis Pearce (to 'Chalky' Whiteley, when accused by the latter of just wanting him for his body):
Betty Williams (of hotpot fame):
Dot Cotton (on her various illnesses):
|
|
|
|
Post by Marion on May 1, 2008 9:11:01 GMT
I noticed that on The Apprentice tonight one of the teams spent three hours trying to decide where (if anywhere) the apostrophe should go in National Singles Day. Sir Alan was unimpressed. They phoned the Daily Telegraph but no-one seemed available. You beat me to it posting about this. There was some dispute about whether it was three or four hours they delayed whilst trying to resolve the problem - plenty of time in which to have consulted this or the original forum. They, or rather the team leader in the absence of any sound advice, decided on Single's Day. Actually they put it after the s - personally I would have left well alone - am I right in thinking Singles can be used adjectivally in this case? That's what I was sitting there saying to my husband...I posted about this on the APS and then discovered you'd all migrated - no wonder no one had beaten me to it! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Barry on May 1, 2008 9:20:57 GMT
marion,
Welcome. It's interesting they had such a long discussion about it. I didn't see the programme, as I loathe it, its participants, and, above all, Alan S hit (we often use the word 'sugar' as a polite version of this word; I see this as a perfect opportunity to redress the balance).
However, to get back to the point, this sort of construction could be defended in either of its three versions.
Singles Day: adjectival use; similar to Sports Day, sports car etc.
Single's Day: singular exemplar possessive; similar to Reader's Digest - although it's an event for many single people, it is personalised to the individual who is attending.
Singles' Day: plural possessive; it indicates that it's a day for all single people, and all are welcome.
There's no 'right' answer, but the one that's likely to get the least criticism (and thus the least need for reply) is probably the plural possessive version.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barry on May 1, 2008 9:37:42 GMT
Now I think about it, the oddest of these is Single's Day. While it's grammatically acceptable, it perhaps throws off the wrong message. Presumably the point of such a day is for single people to hook up with other single people; the idea, then, of appealing to an individual, is somewhat counter-intuitive (Reader's Digest is fine, because it suggests that this edition is just for you - and you can enjoy it with solitary pleasure). Unless, I suppose, the point of Single's Day is for each single individual to stand up in his/her home, and celebrate (in a solitary fashion) her/his single status, raising a single flute of champagne, perhaps ...
|
|
noel
New Member
Posts: 14 
|
Post by noel on May 1, 2008 10:04:53 GMT
Since we'd say Women's Day, Ex-Servicemen's Day, and so on, I'd agree with the choice of Singles' Day. Daft idea though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave M on May 1, 2008 11:31:59 GMT
Ah ... I think back to when I was young ... and free ... and single - and I seem to recall that every day was singles' day!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Verbivore on May 1, 2008 11:49:19 GMT
Ah ... I think back to when I was young ... and free ... and single - and I seem to recall that every day was singles' day!! Bit tame, eh what!  Back then I was into doubles, tri... . Oh, you don't need to know.  |
|
|
|
Post by Bertie on May 1, 2008 14:49:48 GMT
Switching radio channels whilst driving to Dorset and back this morning, I was able to enjoy long discussions about apostrophes on both Radio Solent and Radio 5 Live. They had experts on hand as well as, of course, calls from listeners.
I did phone into the local station and mentioned the APS as well as pointing out the - previously unmentioned - adjectival usage, but was not called back to be 'on air'.
|
|
|
|
Post by amanda on May 2, 2008 7:58:13 GMT
There have been (and still are) some beautifully crafted, comedic lines in Coronation StreetOne of my favourites is 'You've got a face like a dropped pie.' |
|
|
|
Post by Barry on May 2, 2008 8:25:08 GMT
Priceless, Mands, priceless! I shall add it to my collection forthwith. Can you remember who delivered the line? ;D
(Incidentally, as you're now 'amanda' on this forum, do you prefer this handle, or do you want to be 'Mands?' as before?)
|
|
|
|
Post by Sue M-V on May 2, 2008 13:09:34 GMT
I'm afraid I don't watch TV soaps, but there are (even more?) wonderful lines to be found in literature. I'll never forget Dylan Thomas'
"eyes like rissoles in the sand"
Sue
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul Doherty on May 2, 2008 13:14:40 GMT
> I'll never forget Dylan Thomas' < You see, I just don't like that. You seemed to be saying you'd never forget Dylan Thomas and then closing the quote -- I actually glanced back to see if I'd missed the opening quote mark. I'd say Thomasiz, so why wouldn't you join the sensible world, Sue, and write Dylan Thomas's?  |
|
Back then I was into doubles, tri... . Oh, you don't need to know. 
