A question of apostrophes?

[CatInASuit]

Waterstone's, the largest British book chain that was founded by Tim Waterstone is now changing it's name to drop the apostrophe. It will now be known as Waterstones, which is probably how most people would remember it anyway. It will also make it easier in the digital age where it has already dropped the apostrophe online.

However, the Apostrophe Protection Society has said that it is grammatically incorrect and they should have left it in.

So, should Waterstone's leave the apostrophe in, does it matter and are some people just a little too hung up on English grammer?

[Elendil's Heir]

Waterstone's, the largest British book chain that was founded by Tim Waterstone is now changing it's name....

Emphasis added.

This was a gag, right? You're misappropriating their apostrophe?

My answer: Doesn't matter. Companies can call themselves whatever they want, with made-up words, odd capitalization or lack thereof, and odd punctuation. Those who are disgusted can shop elsewhere.

[Rube E. Tewesday]

I seem to recall that the possessive apostrophe was a mistake in the first place, when early English grammarians convinced themselves that the possessive "s" was a shortening of "his".

Anyway, it's not something I can care about much, and anything that makes it simple to use a touchscreen is all to the good, I say.

[Orual]

I wonder if apostrophes in general are on their way out. It seems like they are used incorrectly more than correctly these days.

[The Original An Gadaí]

Thought the Waterstone business had folded... Has in Ireland at least.

[Rube E. Tewesday]

Language Log has been looking at this:

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3703

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3706

[Zuul]

I wonder if apostrophes in general are on their way out. It seems like they are used incorrectly more than correctly these days.

Meanwhile, quotation marks are being "used" far more "often."

[Elendil's Heir]

Heh. My wife just got this for Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Unnecessa...6856964&sr=8-1

[Zuul]

Oh, that looks like something I'd enjoy. I might need to get a copy. I start itching for a big red pen so often when I see signs these days.