Bad Signs

	The thing is, these guys are probably from somewhere near the Mediterranean Sea.
	Ectetera, ectetera...
	Waithing for a copy editor.
	Walk. Wait, no. Don't walk!

It always makes me wonder why so many small business owners have permanent signs on their businesses with gross spelling and grammar errors.

I remember a place in Minneapolis called "Lee's Wig's." Apostrophe errors are among my biggest pet peeves, and they happen all the time. They're not a surprise, though. Sometimes it can be tricky. And sometimes I can forgive it. Sometimes, sure... if you don't know better, you might slip up and use an apostrophe in a pluralization. But when it's connected to your livelihood? When it's a direct representation of yourself in the world? There are no excuses.

Whoever made Lee's sign got the possession right. But the S in "wigs" doesn't set out to accomplish the same thing. So, then, if the one has an apostrophe, the other should not, right? One S or the other should have an apostrophe, but not both. I think I could accept "Lees Wig's" more easily than this. That at least would show some conviction, rather than this spineless covering of all bases by overpunctuating every S in the sign.

Poor Lee.

How do those signs and awnings get made. Do the shop owners screw up? If so, why don't the sign makers do them a favor and suggest corrections? Or maybe it's the sign maker's fault. And when it arrives, fresh, clean and smelling of plastic and paint, the shop owner thinks: Well... it's close. Why wait longer or shell out for a new sign or?

I had some fun recently spotting some bad signs in New York.