Explanations about final "s" in butcher's

[melaverde]

I would like to find the way to explain in an easy manner why we write "butcher's, doctor's, dentist's, greengrocer's" with the final "s".
Any idea how to explain it?
Thank you

 

[2006]

I would like to find the way to explain in an easy manner why we write "butcher's, doctor's, dentist's, greengrocer's" with the final "s".
Any idea how to explain it?
Thank you

The 's after a noun indicates the possessive form.

Tom is outside the door.
Tom's cat is outside the door.

2006

 

[konungursvia]

I think he means why don't we just say I went to the doctor, the butcher, the candlestick maker....

And I guess the answer is it's more polite to describe visiting the place belonging to the person than the person himself.

Cf. in French: we say chez le médecin, chez le boucher.... also a form of possessive in a way.

 

[Rover_KE]

It's a short way of saying the butcher's shop, the hairdresser's salon, the doctor's surgery etc.

Rover

 

[philadelphia]

Cf. in French: we say chez le médecin, chez le boucher.... also a form of possessive in a way.

I quite agree.