Grammar vigilante is fixing UK signs , they're a few grammar fixers on this forum .

[snakeeyes]

Urban myth proves true: Grammar vigilante is fixing UK signs

When bad punctuation strikes storefront signage in Bristol, England, a self-styled apostrophe avenger springs into action. The BBC reports that an unidentified man has spent years venturing out at night to correct infractions against the English language spotted in public street and retail signs.

Although the man holds grudges against all forms of errant punctuation, he spends most of his time addressing wayward apostrophes using a tool he built himself. Dubbed the “apostrophiser,” it can either add or subtract apostrophes from signs, depending on the correction needed, using adhesive tape. He also carries a ladder.

Often referred to as "the Banksy of punctuation," this human version of Wite-Out says he was lured into a life of mildly invasive graffiti when he decided to scratch out a misplaced apostrophe on a whim in 2003. “It was a council sign—Mondays to Fridays—and had these ridiculous apostrophes,” he said. “I was able to scratch those off.”

VIDEO
'Grammar Vigilante' Is Correcting Street Signs, One Apostrophe at a Time | Mental Floss

While some businesses appreciate the unsolicited correction, others consider the forced changes rude. A shop called Tux & Tails previously identified itself as a “Gentlemans Outfitters” before the rogue corrected it to “Gentleman’s Outfitters.” Owner Jason Singh says the defacing of the sign could cost him thousands of dollars to fix because the paint the man used isn’t meshing well with the vinyl surface. Singh promises to bill the vigilante for the damage if he ever learns his identity.

The BBC did not reveal the man’s name, nor did they appear to hand over any information to authorities. Despite the sketchy legal nature of his work, the vigilante said it was “more of a crime” to leave the incorrect punctuation standing. A half-hour BBC Radio 4 documentary on his work aired on Monday.

The Bristol vigilante isn’t the first of his kind: Two anonymous artists in Quito, Ecuador, have been correcting that city’s graffiti for years, using red spray paint to point out spelling and grammar mistakes. Known as Acción Ortográfica Quito (Quito Orthographic Action), they’ve inspired a rash of imitators worldwide. All of which is good reason to hire a copyeditor before you write in public.

[wasabi]

Good one Snakeyes, heard a half hour interview with him on BBC Radio 4
Harmless enough bloke.

[Barty]

Is the OP’s thread title grammatically correct?

Or is he just baiting us?

[wasabi]

He doesn't even realise it himself ^ so it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

[Maanaam]

, they're a few grammar fixers on this forum

Must be deliberate irony.

[cyrille]

When basic errors render a message all but nonsensical then surely attempts at help should be appreciated?

[Latindancer]

Indeed. I myself have been tested and described as having "high apostrophe intelligence" and cringe when I see them in the wrong place.

[BaitongBoy]

Snakey is waiting for a bite on the comma splice, too...

[VocalNeal]

Indeed. I myself have been tested and described as having "high apostrophe intelligence" and cringe when I see them in the wrong place.

I'm an Oxford comma man.

[BaitongBoy]

^ Means fook all in Alabama...

[Maanaam]

Indeed. I myself have been tested and described as having "high apostrophe intelligence" and cringe when I see them in the wrong place.

I'm an Oxford comma man.

Properly raised men are Oxford comma men.
I'm quite fond of the appropriate colon and semi-colon, too; highly underused these days.

[wasabi]

, they're a few grammar fixers on this forum

Must be deliberate irony.

Cyrille and I'm sure a few others want to help Snackeyes out.
����

[Neverna]

Indeed. I myself have been tested and described as having "high apostrophe intelligence" and cringe when I see them in the wrong place.

I'm an Oxford comma man.

You are also a lover of question marks. Sometimes it appears your computer inserts question marks instead of exclamation marks.


Sometimes it appears your computer inserts question marks instead of exclamation marks.
Sometimes it appears your computer inserts question marks instead of exclamation marks!
Sometimes it appears your computer inserts question marks instead of exclamation marks?



Shall we mention the people who end a question with a fulls top and a question mark?

Shall we mention the people who end a question with a fulls top and a question mark.?

[raycarey]

Or is he just baiting us?

almost certainly.

Harmless enough bloke.

"vigilante" hardly seems apt.

Properly raised men are Oxford comma men.

call me a philistine, but as far as i'm concerned, it's overrated.

but that said....

The $10 Million Lawsuit That Hinges On An Oxford Comma : NPR

[Digby Fantona]

call me a philistine

OK. You are a Philistine. Please note the use of upper case for the word "Philistine". There is enough illiteracy on this forum without you sticking your beak in.

[cyrille]

call me a philistine

OK. You are a Philistine. Please note the use of upper case for the word "Philistine". There is enough illiteracy on this forum without you sticking your beak in.

The word 'philistine' only requires a capital letter if it is a reference to an inhabitant or native of ancient Philistia.

This is of course rarely how the word is used.

[Neverna]

Or is he just baiting us?

almost certainly.

Harmless enough bloke.

"vigilante" hardly seems apt.

Properly raised men are Oxford comma men.

call me a philistine, but as far as i'm concerned, it's overrated.

but that said....

The $10 Million Lawsuit That Hinges On An Oxford Comma : NPR

Interesting. I hope they write laws more clearly nowadays.

[raycarey]

call me a philistine

OK. You are a Philistine. Please note the use of upper case for the word "Philistine". There is enough illiteracy on this forum without you sticking your beak in.

The word 'philistine' only requires a capital letter if it is a reference to an inhabitant or native of ancient Philistia.

This is of course rarely how the word is used.

here we go...

just when you thought the oxford comma debate was going to hijack this thread, we've pivoted to whether or not philistine should be capitalized. whatever next...'hopefully', perhaps?

[Digby Fantona]

I have it on good authority that Ray Carey lived in Philistia.

[CaptainNemo]

Indeed. I myself have been tested and described as having "high apostrophe intelligence" and cringe when I see them in the wrong place.

I'm an Oxford comma man.

Properly raised men are Oxford comma men.
I'm quite fond of the colon; highly underused these days.

Evidently, dear boy.

[CaptainNemo]

not capitalising in replies is nearly as noticeable as CAPITALISING IN REPLIES; but I guess it takes less effort, because you don't have to push any additional buttons.