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I do that with some stores and I have no idea why, I guess just lazy thought, like I call JCPenny "JC Penneys". I think it's because it's a proper name and most proper names are possessive when it comes to stores like Sears, Dillards, Macys and McDonalds. I've never in my life said Walmarts though lol, that sounds somehow hillbillyish
This is a curious question for me since I work there. I don't recall anyone calling it "Walmart's" but it's totally possible that many people do. I think it is a regional or a family habit. Makes sense, since many stores are named after someone. I've heard some people call Kroger (supermarket) "Kroger's." Up in Chicagoland quite a few people (especially older ones including my grandma) call Jewel-Osco supermarkets "Jewel's." It's a similar situation with Soldier Field (where the Bears play) being called "Soldier's Field" by some of the older locals.
Adding the 's' to store names is a great lakes accent thing. Some stores even incorporate the 's' in the name, despite the 's' not being part of what it was named after.
Adding the 's' to store names is a great lakes accent thing. Some stores even incorporate the 's' in the name, despite the 's' not being part of what it was named after.
I tend to regard the adding of the 's' as a sign of someone being poorly educated. I only recognize it as vernacular, if the person saying it demonstrates reasonable command of the english language during subsequent conversation.
I'm in Oregon. Never have I heard someone say "WalMart's" unless they meant it in the plural or possessive sense. Must be a regional thing.
So true.
From where I live, there are at least 3 within a 30 mins drive in a n/s/e direction, that it's quite possible to visit more than one that day, especially on weekends.
Another possibility - thinking of it in a possessive way when comparing ads that it just caught on with people to use it that way.
Now when you combine both scenarios, it almost seems wierd to use it in a singular sense.
Correct: "Walmart now offers top quality USDA Choice steaks at a great price." Incorrect: "Walmart's got awesome deep-fried chicken legs for cheap."
Correct: "Hey Mary, I'm heading over to Walmart to buy some underwear." Incorrect: "Hey Mary, I'm headin' over to Walmart's to git some Preparation H."
Correct: "Walmart's new point of sale terminals boast the latest in technology." Incorrect: "At Walmart's. they got new, super soft toilet seats in the john."
Correct: "Yesterday afternoon, an excessively obese lady hit me over the head with a bag of Cheetos at Walmart." Incorrect: "Some big fat lady at Walmart's whopped me over the head with a sack of Potatoes yesterdee."
Correct: "The produce isles at Walmart are always well stocked at Walmart." Incorrect: "The snacks and chips isles at Walmart's always got what I need."
Correct: "Jim, Walmart has a special on bottled water for only $4.99 per case." Incorrect: "Biff, Walmart's got a sale on Mountain Dew for twelve bucks a case."
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Correct and Incorrect Usage
