How to Punctuate Monday

Posted on February 17, 2022 by vanbraman

What is the correct way to punctuate the name of the holiday that is coming on Monday.

Is it President’s Day, President’s Day or Presidents Day?

Which one is correct?

Actually, none of them are correct for the nation as a whole.

According to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, Monday is still officially Washington’s Birthday.

Some states have passed additional legislation to change Washington’s Birthday as Presidents’ Day. The weekend itself is also often known as Presidents’ Day Weekend (apostrophe placement varies).

While watching TV this week I have seen commercials using all three variations.

For someone who takes grammar seriously, this weekend can be grating on the nerves as they see the apostrophe moving all over the place.

Of course, Washington’s Birthday is an easy one to figure out and the apostrophe is not often misplaced. The Birthday belongs to Washington and therefore we use the possessive apostrophe between the n and the s.

President Washington, Washington's Birthday, President's Day - Marx Presidential FigureIf the day was only honoring President Washington, we should use President’s Day.

Presidents Washington and Lincoln - Presidents' Day - Marx Presidential FigurinesIf we mean that the day honors both President Washington and President Lincoln we could use Presidents’ Day as the day belongs to both of them.

Marx President Figurines - Washington to Johnson - President's Day - Figurines - Grocery PromotionHowever, since Presidents is used as an attributive noun to modify the noun Day, Presidents Day can also be used. In recent years the use of attributive nouns has been increasing and several style manuals now give Presidents Day as the preferred style when used in this sense. It is also more inclusive as this day is often used to honor all presidents.

So,  what day is Monday?

For me, as I live in California, it is Washington’s Birthday.

I looked through several California Government websites and saw it used different ways. I even saw one website use Presidents’ Day with a footnote referring to Section 6103(a) of the US Code and saying they use the name of the Holiday designated in the law. What is interesting is that Section 6103(a) uses Washington’s Birthday :-).

Which do you think is the correct name to use for Monday and also for the weekend?

Steven

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Wednesday Image Search – OO – II

Posted on February 16, 2022 by vanbraman

Welcome to another Wednesday Image Search where I pick a string of letters or a word and share some of the images I find in an image search of the blog.

Two weeks ago I completed my search for double vowels, except for sometimes ‘y’. There are very few ‘yy’ words, so I gave it a pass. Since I had so many images for some of the double vowels I am decided to do a second edition of some of them.

Tonight I am searching for ‘oo’ again.

These should be interesting. There are a lot of words with this double vowel.

What images will I find?

book worms, reading, National Book Lovers Day, Happy HollistersWith the first image we have a picture of a couple of book worms. I am reading a The Happy Hollisters book to my little cousin. This picture brings back so many memories.

Steak and sides, argentina, beef, potatoesThe second image is of food in Argentina. One reason why I chose this image tonight is that I have a student in my course this week who is from Argentina.

Second Job, Cook, Restaurant, cookingNext we have an image of my Grandpa working as a Fry cook. This was one of the many part time jobs that my Grandpa worked at during the many years he was a preacher.

Loose Meat Sandwich, Canteen, Steamed HamburgerLast week I shared a picture of the Canteen in Ottumwa, Iowa. The Canteen serves loose meat sandwiches and this is my homemade version of the sandwich.

Happy Hollisters, Red Book Spines, No dust jacketsFinally, here is a connection back to the first image. Notice the distinctive red cover of The Happy Hollisters books.  Since these were some of favorite books while growing up I decided to collect them. After a lot of searching I have a complete set of the series and they all have dust jackets. See: The Happy Hollisters II

I had 655 ‘oo’ images to pick from, and again had to make some tough decisions on what to share. I may have to do a 3rd edition of this post.

Which is your favorite of these ‘oo’ pictures?

What should I search for next? I might continue the theme of double vowels with a third  round of ‘ee’.

Steven

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