Alan Pemberton wrote:
> Blue Sow <janet.read@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>> Sir Francesco Reffo wrote:
>>> Good morning,
>>> some question about the word Barbershop and other:
>>>
>>> 1_ Which is the right spelling: barbershop or barber'shop?
>> Neither.
>> Barber-shop is the usual spelling.
>
> Barbershop without the hyphen is the term reserved for the male-voice
> quartets, or for their singing style, who allegedly sing/sang in the US
> establishments.
>
What utter twaddle.
Most dictionaries accept barbershop or barber-shop for both uses. The OED
lists only barber-shop [1], while Chambers lists only barbershop [2].
I think it's up to you.
It is, however, never barber'shop. The apostrophe can either indicate
omitted
letters but there is none, or the possessive, but that would be barber's
shop.
[1]
barber-shop
1. A shop where a barber's services may be had. Now chiefly N. Amer.
2. attrib.
b. Designating music of simple or ‘close’ harmony, esp. for a
male vocal
quartet, or a musical ensemble playing or singing such music. Cf. barber's
music (see BARBER n. 3). colloq. (orig. U.S.).
Oxford English Dictionary
[2]
barbershop noun 1 a type of singing in which usually four men sing in
close
harmony without musical accompaniment. 2 the premises in which a barber
works.
Chambers 21st Century Dictionary
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