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I saw an advert in my local paper today from a reputable private school. They are looking for a sport's [sic] teacher and that is how it is written throughout.

I really don't think the apostrophe is correct. Of course, they're thinking of a teacher of sports, hence sport's teacher. But a teacher of English would never be an English's teacher.

I had a similar argument with a teacher once who insisted on games' field = field of games. But nobody talks about a football's pitch.

Teacher of sports would be sports' (not sport's) teacher, but an apostrophe is nonsense there anyway.

Naturally I am a big fan of the apostrophe and keep a felt tip pen in my golf bag to add, and renew (after heavy rain), the apostrophe on the Captain's Bunker sign.

I implored management to put TROLLEYS next time they renew the several 'No trollies or buggies' signs. They've just put up new ones exactly the same.

Paul

Whoever wrote that must be off his trollie. I think you should use your trolley next time you see that sign, as it is clearly not one of the banned items. I dont know what a Captain's bunker is, but I am glad you mark the apostrophe in it.

Orson

I might apply for the job. I can teach tenni's and 'squa'sh amongst other 'sport's'

Grunger
Captain's bunker is a sand trap selected by the club captain. Each time your golf ball is in it you are expected to donate 50p to the captain's chosen charity. The apostrophe tells us that it's just the captain and not the ladies' and seniors' captains too.

Trollies is actually a word given in Chambers as US slang for underpants. Beware! The 'no trollies' sign may get what it wishes for.

I'm rather dubious about these slang words. Scrabble now allows ZA as US slang short for PIZZA. I read that Stephen Fry visited a New York restaurant and asked for a za. He was met with a blank look.

Paul

I think that American visitors to your course will be surprised that they are not allowed to play wearing underpants. Who checks, presumably not the ladies' captain?

I was interested that you have ladies' and seniors' captains. I asked a golfing friend and at her club they have: Captain, Lady Captain, Seniors Captain and Junior Captain. No sign of an apostrophe and different treatment of Seniors and Junior.

Grunger

I think your friend's golf club policy would be fine if they cut the last s from Seniors. There are then no apostrophe complications: Captain, Lady Captain, Senior Captain, Junior Captain.

I suppose for even greater consistency they should use Gentleman Captain, but historical sexism assumes the club captain is a man, so Captain it remains.

Although I think correct use of apostrophes is important, there are some grey areas. I don't think I mind its omission in a phrase like Parents Evening.

I presume `Parents Evening` is mums & dads doing the ironing

Tyke

Nice to hear from you. Do you know any men who actually do any ironing?

Paul

Yes I agree. It is an evening for parents not of parents.

Hi Grunger

Men can iron if we have to - personally I`d sooner do outside chores - if I have a choice!

Cricket fixtures are out - just hope we not in Tier 10 when the season starts. Yorks are away to Glamorgan in May, I love Cardiff but have never been to Sophia Gdns so ... fingers crossed. We play Lancs at Scarbados in July and are expecting big crowds to turn up, having been starved of cricket - I wondered if you might be tempted to try the Scarborough Fare?

Tyke

Thanks. I saw they were in the Times so I pulled the page out but not looked at it yet. I have been to Sophia Gdns but on a non-match day. Just a stadium rather than a County Ground to me.

I think May might be optimistic, but probably July Ok - doubt if they will allow a full house.