Self-proclaimed “grammar nazis,” or those who habitually correct improper grammar, are all over the worldwide web and social media these days.
But one individual took it to the extremes, making it his life’s work to correct bad punctuation in the streets of London.
One unidentified man has been roaming around communities in Bristol at the wee hours to correct improper grammar in street signs and shopfronts, BBC news reported.
Armed with a broom handle, two sponges and a number of stickers—which he calls his “Apostrophiser”—the man has been placing missing apostrophes on shop banners for the past 13 years.
“I’m a grammar vigilante,” the man who wished to remain incognito told the news outlet. “I do think it’s a cause worth pursuing. I have felt extremely nervous. The heart has been thumping.”
The self-proclaimed grammar police also shared his recent adventures, correcting an errant apostrophe in a local motor shop named “Cambridge Motor’s garage.”
Store owner Paul Cambridge reportedly caught him in the act, but decided to let the man do his work. “We put up a sign and I caught him at the front attempting to scrub off permanent marker,” he said in a separate Telegraph report. “I said to him, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘You’ve got a rogue apostrophe there.’”
However, not all store owners were particularly fond of his doings.
Although his hobby is seemingly harmless, some considered it “rude” that he would alter signs without the owner’s knowledge. Others complained about the supposed permanent damage to their signs, which cost a substantial amount to replace.
Authorities in the area, meanwhile, said they received no complaints regarding the man’s actions. Khristian Ibarrola /ra