How many ss does it take to change a lightbulb?

[ritaxis]

[Poll #1088629]

Comments

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that names that end in an "s" take 's unless they are of Greek origin or the name of the Christian son of G-d. Thus:

Aristophanes'
Jesus'
Thomas's
Parris's

What I want to know is how you turn a name that is a possessive into a possessive, such as something belonging to the company with the Golden Arches:
McDonald's's? McDonald's'? McDonald's?

[davidgoldfarb.livejournal.com]

Er, you do realize that "...of Greek origin" and "...the name of the...son..." aren't disjoint sets? (Okay, it's Latinized, but still.)

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

I didn't! I thought it was ultimately a Hebrew name, and only the Christ part was Greek. Thank you.

[davidgoldfarb.livejournal.com]

Well, that's what I get for posting early in the morning.

(Hush.)

Yes, of course it is ultimately a Hebrew name, and it was silly of me to forget that -- I've seen both "Yeshua" and "Yehoshua". But we get "Jesus" from Latin "Iesus" from Greek "Ἰησοῦς".

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I get wobbly feelings trying to remember what I've said in the past, let alone what I should write.