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Malone

At least he did not say "Are you sure he suicided himself?" or.....self-murdered.

I am pleased that the proposed merger of Sainsbury's with Asda is under threat. The prospect of Sainsbury'sAsda'ses would be a step too far.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it could block the deal as it could lead to a "poorer shopping experience"

The other CMA, Cant Move Apostrophes, who submitted an objective analysis to the Authority regarding Sainsbury's four brand names, were pleased with the statement.

Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe described the CMA's analysis as "fundamentally flawed" and said the firm would be making "very strong representations" to it about its "inaccuracy and lack of objectivity".

Jigjag, my suggestion for any merger of Sainsbury's and Asda would be for the new company to be called Sada - though almost inevitably, this could end up being Sadas or Sada's. Let's hope they remain separate.

The CMA - both CMAs - are to be applauded for some sterling work.


Do you know if there's an existing body for the repatriation of apostrophes? I think it would be good if someone could rehome all the apostrophes that many greengrocers (and other small retail outlets) have appropriated. I'm sure good homes could be found for these.

Malone

Your suggested name is excellent, though I fear it would be known as Saddo's here.

Re apostrophes - I think there is such an existing body. I will do some research and I am sure I will find it.

I suppose language evolves and new terms appear but I can't get used to someone medalling at the Olympics.

Yes Rossim, I heard recently that an athlete had meddled at 3 Olympics. But no action was taken apparently.

Swimmers can win medley medals

And cyclists can pedal to medal



And as a pedant, the frequent incorrect transpositioning . . feel free to unload . . of 'peddle' and 'pedal', leaves me in a spin

Hannah, maybe that's a geographical one? I've not noticed 'peddle' and 'pedal' being incorrectly used for a long, long time. Other words...yes, those words... no. I'll need to have a think to see which ones irritate me.

PS I'm curious - what would be an example of a 'correct transpositioning'?

Rossim, the 'medalling' was horrendous to hear, it really grated!

Malone

I have returned from the library having spent a productive morning on the research you commissioned yesterday. In the Mynydd Isa Newspaper Cuttings Education Department (MINCED), one old report caught my eye.

“The Automobile Association (AA) is concerned that it is losing members to its rival the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). The AA claims that people are confusing it with another AA, so they join the RAC instead.”

Further digging revealed that the other AA must be “Apostrophe’s Anonymou’s”, so I rang its Secretary, Honor Mishon. “Our aim is to remove apostrophes from greengrocers, hairdressers and so on, and to return them to supermarkets and shops who have mislaid them”, she said.

I mentioned the concerns of the other AA. “Yes, we’re thinking of re-branding to A’sA’s, perhaps”.

I’ll drink to that!

Nice work, jigjag.

I went to their meeting recently: "my name is Steve and I haven't had an apostrophe for a week - oh, bugger, just did!".