What is the most funny sign you read that didn't translate?
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:15 AM
#62
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Product names are a minefield.
Generations of English schoolboys giggled on arriving in France and seeing adverts for Pschitt (don't know if it still exists, but it's a fizzy drink, as you might imagine).
There's a brand of crisps in Spain called Bum. It makes sense in a Spanish accent; as the Swedish toilet paper makes sense in Swedish, but it's spelt Kräpp. Somewhere has a brand of tinned tuna called Fanny.
About once every couple of years things like this turn up on desperate late night TV in the UK...
Generations of English schoolboys giggled on arriving in France and seeing adverts for Pschitt (don't know if it still exists, but it's a fizzy drink, as you might imagine).
There's a brand of crisps in Spain called Bum. It makes sense in a Spanish accent; as the Swedish toilet paper makes sense in Swedish, but it's spelt Kräpp. Somewhere has a brand of tinned tuna called Fanny.
About once every couple of years things like this turn up on desperate late night TV in the UK...
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:25 AM
#63
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Okay not exactly following the original thread but I was having lunch in a restaraunt in Evora with my inlaws. The menu had both Portuguese and English translations - I looked at Chocos and it was translated to (please don't read on if easily offended...) Cuntfish. Honestly and damn I laughed. My wife's parents didn't understand what I found so amusing until Elisabete translated for them. Being old school catholic parents I think they were not amused and we got up and ate elsewhere. Of course Chocos actually translates to Cuttlefish.
Matt
(I'll understand should moderators remove this posting, I've had second thoughts about putting up...)
Matt
(I'll understand should moderators remove this posting, I've had second thoughts about putting up...)
Jan 26th, 2006, 03:42 AM
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Jan 26th, 2006, 06:43 AM
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OK censors -- here goes!
In the smaller hotels in China, I often came across sealed packets in the bathroom -- one for men and one for women. In English, they said that they were to be used for personal hygiene, and kills almost everything known to man. However, the packet for the ladies was translated in English as
"Know Your Bird"
and stamped on the front in bold black letters was
UNCOMPLIMENTARY.
In the smaller hotels in China, I often came across sealed packets in the bathroom -- one for men and one for women. In English, they said that they were to be used for personal hygiene, and kills almost everything known to man. However, the packet for the ladies was translated in English as
"Know Your Bird"
and stamped on the front in bold black letters was
UNCOMPLIMENTARY.
Jan 27th, 2006, 07:21 AM
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When I lived in Japan, I was always amused by a bi-lingual sign at Narita Airport. In Japanese, the sign said "Authorized Personnel Only." In English, it said "Concerned Persons Only."
Apr 9th, 2011, 04:52 AM
#75
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one of the hostels in Bolivia we stayed in had this sign in our room :
1.We communicates to the housed gentlemen that the room should be delivered until the 12 hours. To the day, passed this hour it will be canceled more by another night.
2. We insuated not smoke in the room and to be careful with the beds.
Administration..
took me a moment to understand that the check-out is at midday and if you stayed longer you'd be charged for another night.
1.We communicates to the housed gentlemen that the room should be delivered until the 12 hours. To the day, passed this hour it will be canceled more by another night.
2. We insuated not smoke in the room and to be careful with the beds.
Administration..
took me a moment to understand that the check-out is at midday and if you stayed longer you'd be charged for another night.
Apr 9th, 2011, 06:33 AM
#76
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One here in our Australian neighborhood doesn't translate well to my American brand of English (or preconceived idea of Australian English):
"Elderly People Cross Here"
I can't help thinking every time I see it that some cranky senior is going to come out and yell at me about his lawn.
"Elderly People Cross Here"
I can't help thinking every time I see it that some cranky senior is going to come out and yell at me about his lawn.
Apr 9th, 2011, 08:07 AM
#78
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The fire evacuation notice in my Munich hotel room:
Dear guest,
we please you in interest of your own safety to pay attention to the following directions:
1. Do not smoke in the bed.
2. Do not throw away careless your butts.
3. When you notice fire, inform the reception straight away in dialing 11 and leave the scene of conflagration.
4. Should the evacuation of the hotel be necessary, you will be informed by time.
5. In any case, do not use the lift.
6. Impress you exact our site.
7. Keep calmness -- avoid panic.
Thank you!
Dear guest,
we please you in interest of your own safety to pay attention to the following directions:
1. Do not smoke in the bed.
2. Do not throw away careless your butts.
3. When you notice fire, inform the reception straight away in dialing 11 and leave the scene of conflagration.
4. Should the evacuation of the hotel be necessary, you will be informed by time.
5. In any case, do not use the lift.
6. Impress you exact our site.
7. Keep calmness -- avoid panic.
Thank you!
Apr 9th, 2011, 08:52 AM
#79
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Not that funny, but anyway:
Ireland, temporary traffic light for road constructions on a rural road.
Next to the traffic light there was the sign (probably as a service for those Micra drivers who skipped driving school": "STOP ON RED" (what else??)
Another one from Ireland:
Shortly after my friends had moved to Tipperary, I paid them my first visit. When driving around they told me that on one of the next days we would have to explore "An Lár" which must be a big city because everywhere they went it was signposted. They had not yet discovered that it simply meant "(city) centre".
Ireland, temporary traffic light for road constructions on a rural road.
Next to the traffic light there was the sign (probably as a service for those Micra drivers who skipped driving school": "STOP ON RED" (what else??)
Another one from Ireland:
Shortly after my friends had moved to Tipperary, I paid them my first visit. When driving around they told me that on one of the next days we would have to explore "An Lár" which must be a big city because everywhere they went it was signposted. They had not yet discovered that it simply meant "(city) centre".
Apr 9th, 2011, 09:03 AM
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There was an old joke in Heidelberg when i lived on an army post--a cartoon of a soldier talking on the phone, saying that he was on the corner of Einbahnstrasse and Umleitung--One-way street and detour.
When I first arrive in Germany, I thought Einbahnstrasse must mean "Main Street."
When I first arrive in Germany, I thought Einbahnstrasse must mean "Main Street."
