
Here’s a Possible Explanation Why We Add an “S” to ‘Meijer”
Meijer has no 's'.
Neither does Kroger, or J.C. Penney. So why do we usually add an 's' on the end? “Hey, let's go to MeijerS” or “I'm heading out to KrogerS” or “I've been shopping at J.C. PenneyS”.
We do it.
We all do it.
I do it.
And I know it's wrong.
But I don't care.
We do it, accept it, and are comfortable with it. Most Michiganders are notorious for adding that extra 's' at the end of a business name...but not for all of them.

I have never heard anyone refer to "K-MART'S" or "BIGGBY'S" or "VALU-LAND'S" or "WALMART'S" or "WORLD MARKET'S".
Where did this weird habit come from? MichiganNative.com claims this habit started way back with employees of the Ford Motor Company, who told others they worked at "Ford’s Factory," not the "Ford" factory.
Are we the only ones who do this? No, according to UM English prof Ann Curzan when she was interviewed on MichiganRadio.com. She says this sloppy speech is also used in Missouri, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.
Is it because of this type of speech that some establishments HAVE added an extra “s”? There's Hungry Howie's, Jimmy John's, Wendy's, Trader Joe's, Consumers and others.
So keep adding those incorrect esses...we're on a roll and it's too late to change now...
Adding an "S" to Our Businesses by Michiganders
MORE MICHIGANIA:
Words Michiganders Don't Understand
Michigan Names Even Some Michiganders Get Wrong
25 Things Michiganders Have No Tolerance For
More From 99.1 WFMK








