Grammar Vigilantes vs. Historical Sign
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Grammar Vigilantes, the two 28-year-olds who have traveled the country correcting America’s typos along the way. Recently, however, they got a little carried away and edited (or “defaced” or “vandalized,” depending on your point of view) a sign at the Grand Canyon. Bad vigilantes. Bad.
When I first heard of the Grammar Vigilantes and their mission I was solidly behind them, and I mostly still am. Honestly, I’ve been tempted many times to do just what they do, particularly when misplaced apostrophes on a menu take my appetite away. I imagine myself wearing a mask and a cape, wielding a mighty red pen with which to right the grammatical wrongs of the dining world. As I stride out the door with my cape swirling dramatically behind me, the diner patrons would whisper, “Who was that masked editor?” Actually they would probably say, “What a nut. Somebody call the cops,” which is why I have never actually done this.
Still, the fantasy persists. Think about it—wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all treated our language with a little more respect? There is something truly sad about seeing intelligent, college-educated adults dropping random apostrophes into plural word’s (sorry—I meant words).
No doubt the Grammar Vigilantes share our concern and are only trying to make the world safe for properly placed apostrophes and commas, not to mention dedicated high school English teachers and cape-wearing editors. But, guys, next time ask before you edit. It’s the polite thing to do.
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