Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Why I may have to leave Linden

There's a new sign at the bottom of the drive advertising the community cinema that happens on the last Saturday of each month at Linden. A new feature that's been introduced is the afternoon showing of films suitable for children as well as the main evening movie.

So the billboard announces 'kids films'. Which is why I may have to stop going to Linden (which is unfortunate as it's my place of work as well as 'worship').

I had to do a double take when I first saw it. (Not advised when you're driving.) I couldn't decide the greater crime: using the word kids or the lack of an apostrophe.

Now I realise that my intense dislike of kids is a very personal thing and I don't expect others to play along with my pet hate, but apostrophe misuse is another thing altogether. 

But then I started wondering: should there be an apostrophe there? The film is for children not belonging to them; does that make a difference? Is the word k*** simply describing the film? Like action movie. I can't decide and it's driving me mad. I'm normally so clear about apostrophes and I can't think what to look up to check it.

What do you think? HELP! 

P.S. Why does Google  which is, I presume, American, question the spelling of movie? Why does it not even acknowledge it as a word? Perhaps that's one of Google's pet hates. We all are entitled to our little foibles.

10 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

I dislike the word kid or kids too... they are young goats .. not sure about the apostrophe either .

Maybe it should be "Films for Children"

Leslie: said...

I like Anne's response! But I think the apostrophe should go after the plural word - kids'

jams o donnell said...

I was thinking films for goats too!

Katney said...

Seems like it's one of those that could go either way--a descriptor or a possesive. And if possesive, as Leslie says, after the s becasue it is for all the kids. Anne has the best solution. Do you have any control over this?

Anna said...

Well i don't think kids should be used as an adjective. It does not work well. At least 'action' is specific even though it's another noun that has been kidnapped for use as adjective. I think you already knew that the apostrophe goes after kids' because the films are not for a singular kid. Films for Children is the best idea!

Liz Hinds said...

Oh good, I'm glad it's not just me, anne and jams!

yes, IF there is an apostrophe, leslie.

No, it's already done, katney. Big solid-looking sign.

Perhaps I should go out with some white paint and blank it out and start again, anna!

Ole Phat Stu said...

Kids film = several children make a movie.

Kid films = one child makes a movie.

Kid's film = Movie of one child.

Kids' film = Movie of several children.

Kid's films = Movies of one child.

Kids' films = Movies of several children.

Ditto for young goat(s).

Grocer's' apo's trophy's etc etc.

James Higham said...

The abuse of the apostrophe is a modern day crime.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Looks like my idea is a hit LoL ..

Liz Hinds said...

Oh it is, james.

I think so, anne.