It’s fun to mish and mush the English language and see what happens! For language-twisting lovers, it is a particular delight to ponder signs in foreign countries.
I was strolling in Chiang Mai’s hot sun for too long today, and after a while the local signposts began to conjure up hilarious scenes in my head. See if you giggle as much as I did at these examples, or if I really just have an overactive imagination and need to take a cold bath.
1. Top Left: “Massage with hammer.”
Apparently, hammer massage (with a small, delicate wood stick) is actually an official type of Thai massage. BUT the sign still evokes images of the following scene:
“Ahh… that feels… wait, what’s that giant metal– AGHHH!! OWWW!!! OWWW!!!”
“This will stop the backache for good, sir”: BAM.
(Silence.)
2. Top Right: “Washy Mashy Laundromat.”
This sign just sounds cute. I can’t tell if they meant to say “Wishy Washy”, or just sort of invented two words, but I like it. Wouldn’t “Washy Mashy” be a cute puppy name?
3. Second from top on the Left: “Please Become too Confidential with our Service.”
But… but then no one will know about your company, and you won’t get any business!
4. Second from top on the Right: “PP Hair Cut.”
This is me being three years old, but come on– can’t you picture… ok, I’ll stop. :) Hehehe.
5. Third from top on the Left: “Child and Career Development Center.”
WHOA there! I immediately see a sleazy man in a cheap suit who greets any woman walking into the door with: “Hey baby, can I help you develop a baby? Oh, and we can find you a job, too, maybe.”
6. Third from top on the Right: “Ido Idea.”
Clearly, this is someone with a reaaally bad cold answering the question: “What is 12,348 divided by 3.52?” Get it???
Hehe… I love me some English Language twiddling! Now, off to take a cold shower.
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chinamatt says
If I end up in Chiang Mai this summer I’ll have to keep an eye out for these places.
Lillie says
Yes! I’ll be curious how many are still there!
Drew says
Sometimes the US is not even immune to funny signs like that. Once I was in Chattanooga at a tournament and I found a restaurant that served ice cream and “Teriyaki food.” Now I have heard of Japanese food, Chinese food, and even Mexican food, but I did not know there was a whole genre of food called teriyaki food.
Love the signs!
Imported Blogger Comments says
Vicente said…
washy mashy I think it could be washing machine :-)
November 20, 2009 3:30 PM
Lillie M. said…
Ahhhh!!! It all becomes clear! Ok, then that’s sort of a dumb name for a dog.
November 20, 2009 4:35 PM
Dave said…
Remember ordering “minced lawyer” in France? Good times…
November 27, 2009 11:42 PM