‘Boys’ and ‘girls’ aren’t adjectives

The topic began to nag at me though. So, like a good journalist is supposed to, I did my due diligence to learn the grammatical reason why the Daily Journal uses the controversial apostrophes.

Before I break it down, let me start by saying one need only take a tour of local high school gymnasiums to see how much havoc this subject has wrought. Upon banners hanging on gym walls preserving schools’ histories, one will find the in-chic “boys” and “girls,” sans apostrophes; the plural possessive with apostrophes “girls’” and “boys’”; and even the incorrect singular possessive “boy’s” and “girl’s.”

I’ve even seen Serra and its new YouTube game-streaming service use “mens,” sans apostrophe.

Further confusing the issue is The Associated Press Stylebook agrees with said high school administrator, hence the reason why most publications now drop the apostrophe. We at the Daily Journal also abide by AP style, but will make rare exceptions, one of them being in this instance. Here’s why:

First, the words “boys” and “girls” are not adjectives. They are strictly plural nouns. Merrian-Webster’s and Oxford dictionaries both agree on this.

In regards to apostrophes, the explanation the Associated Press gives for not using them is “boys” and “girls,” in such usages, are noun adjuncts. (Yes, you’re right to make that face. “Noun adjunct” is a cringeworthy term. Don’t worry, I didn’t know what the heck it meant either before I took this dive down the rabbit hole.)

“High wire” and “golf club” are some examples of noun adjuncts, meaning the descriptive word directly relates to the main word. (I tend not to be a grammar snob, I swear. I’m only playing one in the funny pages for the purposes of this explanation.)

Now, this may seem to be the case with boys’ and girls’ sports, but it isn’t. One of the defining characteristics of a noun is that it has a plural form. “High wires” and “golf clubs” are plural phrasings containing noun adjuncts. However, as we’re talking about the name of the sport, not physical objects such as basketballs, it would be incorrect to say the plural of “girls’ basketball” is “girls’ basketballs.”

Where it gets super confusing is these phrases do have plural forms. They also contain noun adjuncts. “Girls” and “boys,” however, ain’t part of either of these grammar intricacies.

Now, stick with me: In the term “girls’ basketball,” the word “basketball” is the noun adjunct. You see, when one uses a phrase such as “girls’ basketball,” it is actually a phrasal abbreviation for the more precise phrasing.

This precise phrasing is applied as such: “the girls’ basketball team,” or, “the girls’ basketball game,” “the girls’ basketball league,” etc. The term “girls’ basketball” is merely an excerpt of the longer, technically correct phrasing in which the word “basketball” in “basketball team” is a noun adjunct. Meanwhile, “girls’” and “boys’” are plural possessives.

Hence, “boys” and “girls” are not adjectives, but “boys’” and “girls’” are.

I look forward to your angry letters.

***

Since we’re on grammar, there is one pet peeve of my own I’d like to bring up: the use of generational suffixes on sports uniforms.

We see generational suffixes everywhere. The San Francisco Giants have one in LaMonte Wade Jr., the San Francisco 49ers have two in Robert Beal Jr. and Patrick Taylor Jr., and the Golden State Warriors recently added Jimmy Butler III. All of these players have generational suffixes etched on their jerseys following their last names, yet it is unnecessary and incorrect to do so.

Generational suffixes are akin to first names, not to last names. Hence the reason to attach “Jr.” to a first name when using initials, such as the case as former outfielder AJ Pollock, who played 12 MLB seasons, including a brief stint with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. The “J” in “AJ” stands for “Junior,” as is Allan Jr.

The point being, there was no “Jr.” etched on Pollock’s uniform, which is correct. It isn’t attached to the last name. Otherwise, any child with the same last name as a parent would be considered a “Sr.” or “Jr.”

To my knowledge, the trend started when Ken Griffey Sr. signed with the Seattle Mariners in 1990, making he and Ken Griffey Jr. the first father-son duo to ever play for the same team. Junior made his major league debut the year prior, and simply had “Griffey” etched on his jersey. To my knowledge, it wasn’t until Senior arrived that they went to the suffixes to distinguish between the two.

That usage when the Griffeys played together makes sense for practical purposes, and I’m willing to let Junior slide, as he continued to use it throughout the remainder of his career. Otherwise, either treat it like No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day or don’t. Either most everyone gets a generational suffix or no one does.

Terry Bernal is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. His views are his own. Contact by phone at (650) 344-5200 x109 or via email at terry@smdailyjournal.com.