Grammar help...

[MysticalChicken]

I'm a huge fan of the band Old 97's. The apostrophe, while it would be incorrect in any other case, is supposed to be there as it is part of the name of the band and therefore correct (they even have one of their FAQs on their website mentioning why it's correct). However, I can't figure out how to type the following sentence so it's correct:

"I want Old 97's Too Far to Care but can't find it."

If I type it like that it makes it seem like the band is actually called Old 97, which is wrong. Typing "Old 97s' Too Far to Care" is also wrong, as it's missing the inside apostrophe, and "Old 97's' Too Far to Care" just looks ridiculous. So what's the correct way to type that sentence?

[montanto]

1. technically, Old 97's'

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. Use it as in your example

There's such a thing as over-punctuation. Even when technically correct, it clunks up the sentence or phrase, so one should defer to the simplest form.

[VenusRising]

3. Or...

I want Too Far to Care by the Old 97's, but I can't find it.

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

4. ...

:thumbsup:

Perfect.

[VenusRising]

7. I try.

:blush:

[MysticalChicken]

5. That works.

Yay!

[VenusRising]

8. Yay!!

Glad I could help you. :bounce:

:hi:

[Throwing Stones]

6. when in doubt, rearrange the sentence

I want Too Far to Care by Old 97's, but I can't find it.

Otherwise, I think the poster who suggested using an apostrophe both before and after the s is correct, even though it would probably be confusing to read.

[billyoc]

9. I want Too Far to Care by Old 97's[sic], but I can't find it. n/t

[MysticalChicken]

10. Why "sic"?

I know it means "a mistake someone else made" but it's not a mistake. The apostrophe is supposed to be there. It's on their CDs.

EDIT: From their website, old97s.com, under Factoids:

Apostrophe - Why is it “Old 97’s” and not “Old 97s”? Are the Old 97’s confused about the rules of grammar? No. “Do any of you have Webster’s grammar books? If you do, look up the section on apostrophes. You will find that it’s OK, in order to prevent confusion, to add an apostrophe before an ‘s’ when making something plural. For instance, if Johnny comes home from school and says, ‘I got two F’s today in attitude’, then he’s at least right grammatically. It would be confusing if he said, ‘Fs’. Get it? So five years ago we decided to invoke the rule and be ‘Old 97’s’ rather than ‘Old 97s’. Or ‘Old Nine-Seven-Ess’, as we would have probably be called. If you have ever seen our original demo, you’ll probably notice that we were ‘The Old 97’s’. I don’t remember why we changed. We just did.” - Ken Bethea (1998)

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Busy it up with a bunch of quote marks, which will intimidate everyone into assuming you're correct

"I want "Old 97's"'s "Too Far to Care" but can't find it."

"Jesus, she wouldn't use that many quote marks unless it was correct. She's a genius!"

:rofl:

[MysticalChicken]

12. LOL

:rofl: