Simple punctuation, along with simple language, is one of TextWorkshop’s maxims for getting across complex ideas. In museum text, quotation marks are much overused, usually to indicate “phrases visitors might not understand” (for which read “phrases we can’t be bothered to think how to explain”).
The example above, from my local supermarket, illustrates another way of misusing quote marks to turn a normal sign into something a little… odd. If you’d like to see more of that kind of thing, click straight over to the “blog” of “unnecessary quotes” where Bethany Keeley gathers all sorts of marvellous examples including a sign for fresh brown “eggs” and a poster letting us know that “Jesus” is coming. Enjoy!
Rebecca.