A note on the official apostrophe, as in Guv’nor. It has the whiff of technical correctness so beloved of the earnest, and is formally refuted by this club. Neither necessary or helpful, it serves only to make readers wince, purchasers doubt and grocers bellow. Sadly we cannot support it.
No th’anks
However, maybe you feel differently. Tell us what you think:
A little in late for this question.
I don’t know the origine of the choice of that name.
Is it a shortness off “governor “remembering the India past of Great Britain?
It could be appreciate as a “coquetterie” a few snob reserved to that bike or in the other side as a provocation off a bad guy ?
Ian, never too late! As you I must use speech marks below for clarity alone, I hope the finer points can be understood, I could never do this in French!
So, let me elaborate on my aversion to the apostrophe in “Guv’nor”. As you deduce, it is indeed a shortening of the word “Governor”. In fact, at least four versions are acceptable in the Oxford English Dictionary:
guvner
guv’ner
guvnor
guv’nor
What’s more, this very act of shortening is associated specifically with vulgar or colloquial pronunciations of “Governor”. Therefore if the act is colloquial, the spelling should be simple. To introduce a ‘correct’ apostrophe, feels to me at odds with a colloquial spelling.
That’s it really, I haven’t really touched the fact it also makes it harder to read, and harder to say!
Nor that apostrophes in proper nouns are simply abominable. And finally, just look at this:
RE: The Apostrophe unwanted…Apostrophe or not- Imagine if you will, the board room of the Pashley Corporation with all the Big Shots of Pashley gathered round to try to come up with the name that best suits this magnificent retro bicycle that stands in front of them- and the very best they can come up with is : GUV’NOR? ( As in “Hello Guv’nor”). Just for” shits and giggles” how about readers of this blog coming up with a better name for this classic. I’m quite sure they would do a better job! My entries would be 1. The Rath (named after William “Rath” Pashley) or 2. “Path Racer” which is what this bicycle is designed after. Anything better????
Good evening one and all,
Well James, we will have to agree to disagree. I prefer Guv’nor to Guvnor, my Concise Oxford Dictionary tell me; ” guv, guv’nor (vulg. or colloq.) = GOVERNOR. [corrupt.].” I can see your point about applying formal rules to a vulgar or colloquial spelling, but the COD gets my vote.
Anyway, one thing we all agree about is the Guv(‘)nor is the boss when it comes to bicycles!
Safe riding, Geoff ‘Duchy Wheeler’.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
A little in late for this question.
I don’t know the origine of the choice of that name.
Is it a shortness off “governor “remembering the India past of Great Britain?
It could be appreciate as a “coquetterie” a few snob reserved to that bike or in the other side as a provocation off a bad guy ?
Ian, never too late! As you I must use speech marks below for clarity alone, I hope the finer points can be understood, I could never do this in French!
So, let me elaborate on my aversion to the apostrophe in “Guv’nor”. As you deduce, it is indeed a shortening of the word “Governor”. In fact, at least four versions are acceptable in the Oxford English Dictionary:
guvner
guv’ner
guvnor
guv’nor
What’s more, this very act of shortening is associated specifically with vulgar or colloquial pronunciations of “Governor”. Therefore if the act is colloquial, the spelling should be simple. To introduce a ‘correct’ apostrophe, feels to me at odds with a colloquial spelling.
That’s it really, I haven’t really touched the fact it also makes it harder to read, and harder to say!
Nor that apostrophes in proper nouns are simply abominable. And finally, just look at this:
Guv’nor Owners’ Club
No thanks! :-)
RE: The Apostrophe unwanted…Apostrophe or not- Imagine if you will, the board room of the Pashley Corporation with all the Big Shots of Pashley gathered round to try to come up with the name that best suits this magnificent retro bicycle that stands in front of them- and the very best they can come up with is : GUV’NOR? ( As in “Hello Guv’nor”). Just for” shits and giggles” how about readers of this blog coming up with a better name for this classic. I’m quite sure they would do a better job! My entries would be 1. The Rath (named after William “Rath” Pashley) or 2. “Path Racer” which is what this bicycle is designed after. Anything better????
Pash Racer.
and
It’ll be the Guv’nor for me.
Currently neck and neck in the apostrophe clash…any other opinions?
A little left field perhaps, but I’d prefer no branding on the top tube at all. Leave the Pashley front badge, and let the design speak for itself.
Good evening one and all,
Well James, we will have to agree to disagree. I prefer Guv’nor to Guvnor, my Concise Oxford Dictionary tell me; ” guv, guv’nor (vulg. or colloq.) = GOVERNOR. [corrupt.].” I can see your point about applying formal rules to a vulgar or colloquial spelling, but the COD gets my vote.
Anyway, one thing we all agree about is the Guv(‘)nor is the boss when it comes to bicycles!
Safe riding, Geoff ‘Duchy Wheeler’.
Guv’nor is simply the Governor of all bicycles, that’s all.
{ 2 trackbacks }