Questions about Apostrophes and Elephants; or Why I wear my Headphones
While waiting to cross the street to take the MRT to work a man looked at me and started talking to me. I took out my earphones so I could hear what he was saying. I did not understand all he asked, but I did get the fact that he was asking (in Chinese) if I was an American.
I responded and he proceeded to ask me a question about a phrase: "Elephants stuffed peanuts." I responded that I was not familiar with that phrase and perhaps he meant "An elephant stuffed with peanuts" (as in had eaten too many). He did not mean that and repeated the phrase, asking whether an apostrophe was necessary. I told him I was not sure because the phrase did not make sense.
We continued our conversation across the street and into the MRT station. It became apparent that he was mispronouncing a word. "Peanuts" was supposed to be "penis." Yes, that's right. Evidently he had read an article about a museum that had a stuffed elephant phallus and he questioned the possessive nature of the apostrophe.
I wonder who remembers the grammar of newspapers, but be that as it may I spent the next 6 minutes trying to explain when an apostrophe would be necessary (to indicate possession) and ways to reword the sentence so it would not be necessary. I tried to steer clear of using the exact phrase and kept saying "tigers stuffed head" instead. Despite my attempt at that he continued to use his example and somewhat loudly.
I was rather embarrassed to be discussing the possessive nature of an elephants stuffed reproductive organs in such a public place. I was lucky that my MRT stop was only 2 stations away and that he did not decide to disembark at the same location as me.
While I do not mind conversing with strangers this is exactly why I listen to my iPod while taking public mass transit.
I responded and he proceeded to ask me a question about a phrase: "Elephants stuffed peanuts." I responded that I was not familiar with that phrase and perhaps he meant "An elephant stuffed with peanuts" (as in had eaten too many). He did not mean that and repeated the phrase, asking whether an apostrophe was necessary. I told him I was not sure because the phrase did not make sense.
We continued our conversation across the street and into the MRT station. It became apparent that he was mispronouncing a word. "Peanuts" was supposed to be "penis." Yes, that's right. Evidently he had read an article about a museum that had a stuffed elephant phallus and he questioned the possessive nature of the apostrophe.
I wonder who remembers the grammar of newspapers, but be that as it may I spent the next 6 minutes trying to explain when an apostrophe would be necessary (to indicate possession) and ways to reword the sentence so it would not be necessary. I tried to steer clear of using the exact phrase and kept saying "tigers stuffed head" instead. Despite my attempt at that he continued to use his example and somewhat loudly.
I was rather embarrassed to be discussing the possessive nature of an elephants stuffed reproductive organs in such a public place. I was lucky that my MRT stop was only 2 stations away and that he did not decide to disembark at the same location as me.
While I do not mind conversing with strangers this is exactly why I listen to my iPod while taking public mass transit.