The term "idiot's apostrophe" (or Deppen-Apostroph in German) is a colloquial and often critical label for the incorrect or unnecessary use of an apostrophe, particularly in contexts where it is not grammatically required. It commonly refers to the misuse of an apostrophe to form plurals or when indicating possession in languages where the apostrophe is not needed for such a purpose.
Understanding the Misuse of Apostrophes
The "idiot's apostrophe" typically points to a common grammar error arising from a misunderstanding of how apostrophes function. While apostrophes serve vital roles in English—indicating possession (e.g., "the dog's bone"), contractions (e.g., "don't"), or sometimes plurals of single letters or numbers (e.g., "mind your p's and q's")—their application is often mistakenly extended to contexts where they are redundant or incorrect.
This error is particularly noticeable and a point of contention among grammar purists in countries like Germany.
The 'Deppen-Apostroph' in German
In the German language, the concept of the "Deppen-Apostroph" is a significant point of grammatical contention. Unlike English, German does not typically use an apostrophe to indicate possession. Instead, it employs the genitive grammatical case. For example, to say "Peter's car," German uses "Peters Auto" (without an apostrophe) or "das Auto von Peter."
The appearance of apostrophes in German words to denote possession is often viewed by grammar purists as a direct and unwelcome influence from the English language, presumably reflecting a perceived "conquering" of German-speaking countries by English linguistic norms. This usage is considered unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in German, as the language's existing genitive case sufficiently handles the indication of possession without needing an apostrophe.
Common Examples of Misuse
The "idiot's apostrophe" manifests in various ways, often leading to confusion between plurals and possessives, or simply inserting an apostrophe where none is required.
Incorrect Usage Scenarios:
- Plurals: Using an apostrophe to form a simple plural, especially with common nouns.
- Incorrect: DVD's, apple's, menu's
- Correct: DVDs, apples, menus
- Company Names/Signs: Often seen on signs or advertisements.
- Incorrect: Fresh Fruit's, Video's
- Correct: Fresh Fruits, Videos
- Possession in German: Applying English-style possessive apostrophes in German.
- Incorrect (German): Müller's Bäckerei (Müller's Bakery)
- Correct (German): Müllers Bäckerei
A Comparison of Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
| Category | Incorrect Usage | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plurals | "Banana's for sale!" | "Bananas for sale!" | No apostrophe needed for simple plural nouns. |
| Contractions | "It's a beautiful day." | "It's a beautiful day." | Apostrophe is correct for "it is." |
| Possessives | "The dog's tail." | "The dog's tail." | Apostrophe is correct for singular possession. |
| German Plurals | "Pizza's" | "Pizzas" | In German, plurals rarely use an apostrophe. For a full word, it's just the plain plural. |
| German Possessives | "Frank's Eck" | "Franks Eck" | German uses the genitive case or a prepositional phrase, not an apostrophe, for possession unless a name ends in -s, -ß, -x, or -z. |
For more details on proper apostrophe usage in English, you can consult reliable grammar resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab or a comprehensive English style guide. Understanding these nuances helps in avoiding the common pitfalls associated with the "idiot's apostrophe."
