Pedants' Paradise

[french frank]

'The boys' school' could be translated as 'The school of the boys,' thus fulfilling the possessive function of the apostrophe, but also indicating a genitive case?

Yes, but what would use of the genitive case indicate? That they owned the school?

[kernelbogey]

Yes, but what would use of the genitive case indicate? That they owned the school?

But then we do see 'men's trousers' flagged at the M&S..... And they don't become of the men until purchased!

[Padraig]

But then we do see 'men's trousers' flagged at the M&S..... And they don't become of the men until purchased!

That's better than my tentative reply, kb, which would point to the 'of ' in the school of the boys derived from that apostrophe in the boys' school.

[french frank]

That's better than my tentative reply, kb, which would point to the 'of ' in the school of the boys derived from that apostrophe in the boys' school.

But it isn't a 'school of the boys'; it's a 'school for boys'. And the M&S notice is better as mens trousers rather than men's trousers, but I admit the variation has a certain sense.

[vinteuil]

'The boys' school' could be translated as 'The school of the boys,' thus fulfilling the possessive function of the apostrophe, but also indicating a genitive case?

but English doesn't really have a genitive case -

But then we do see 'men's trousers' flagged at the M&S..... And they don't become of the men until purchased!

... if we did have cases, this wd be a dative case - trousers for men

But it isn't a 'school of the boys'; it's a 'school for boys'.
.

... as Fr: Fr: points out...

[Padraig]

So, it is not considered proper English to write 'boys' school' but ok to say it. Now, that is pedantry.

[crb11]

I would use it if referring to particular boys. "We have mixed experiences of our kids' education. Martha's school is excellent, but the boys' school has just shut down the choir and they're heartbroken."

[Pulcinella]

I would use it if referring to particular boys. "We have mixed experiences of our kids' education. Martha's school is excellent, but the boys' school has just shut down the choir and they're heartbroken."

An excellent distinction.

[french frank]

An excellent distinction.

It is. The word is being used here demonstratively rather than qualitatively: this school, that school, the boys' school,. It only works here in the plural. If you have two sons and a daughter you would probably speak of the boys' school and Martha's/ my daughter's school.

Usage depends on function: does it answer the question Which one?, Whose? or Of what kind? Merchant Taylors' School is an interesting one where the possessive sense is much clearer. If the word 'school' is omitted it's referred to as Merchant Taylors' - still with the possessive apostrophe. Note also Haberdashers' Boys School (and formerly Aske's Hospital).

[oliver sudden]

Note also Haberdashers' Boys School

Or as they call themselves: Haberdashers' Boys' School...

https://www.habsboys.org.uk/about-us/welcome

[Pulcinella]

What happens when they hold a parents evening?

And should Wolverhampton Girls' High School really be Wolverhampton's Girls High School, as the girls may not all come from Wolverhampton?

https://www.wghs.org.uk

[Serial_Apologist]

What happens when they hold a parents evening?

And should Wolverhampton Girls' High School really be Wolverhampton's Girls High School, as the girls may not all come from Wolverhampton?

https://www.wghs.org.uk

And 100 years seems rather a long educational period for girls!

[french frank]

Or as they call themselves: Haberdashers' Boys' School...

But why do they call themselves the Habs for short? Shouldn't it be the Habs' ?

[vinteuil]

But why do they call themselves the Habs for short? Shouldn't it be the Habs' ?

... or the Hab's' - first apostrof for elision, second for possession

.

[vinteuil]

... and if we accept maître d' as a thing (tho' it always feels a bit American to me) - should same person have a hat, would it be the maître d' 's hat (first apostrophe in italic, second in roman).

Just askin'

.