Quotation marks are often used to imply an alternative meaning to a word or imply sarcasm or skepticism. In the instance where the quotes are used on the word “only,” I wonder if they are just misplaced, or are implying that they are writing only, but don’t really mean it.
I suddenly feel complicit in a conspiracy that I don’t understand. As if the sign writers are saying, “we are going to tell you that only fly fishing is allowed, but we know what you really plan to do and we’re ok with it… Wink wink.”
Thanks to Beth, a reader from Philadelphia who spotted this sign up in the Pocono Mountains.
