Probably the first time we used an apostrophe in grade school was to show the possessive of a singular noun. We learned to add an "apostrophe S" to a singular noun to show possession.
A seagull stole my son's lunch.
The kitchen's floor and the bedroom's walls needed a good scrubbing.
That's pretty straightforward, right? But instantly we learned that nothing stays simple.
When the possessor is plural, and does not end in "S," we still add an "apostrophe S," but if the possessor is plural and ends in "S," the apostrophe is placed after the "S."
The men's team will play first.
Our boys' team won the trophy.
Isn't this one simple rule enough to make most writers throw up their hands and give up trying to place the apostrophe in the right place?
Near my town there's a big sign on a lot that sells motor homes and other recreational vehicles. It says Big Boy's Toys. Now, did the owner who commissioned the sign really intend to tell the world that he's selling toys for just one, particular big boy? Surely he carries enough stock for a number of big boys.
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