The Lost (& Found) in Translation

Many things don’t quite mean the same thing in one part of the world as they do in another. Here are some good signs I’ve happened upon…


Sharps Mate! Sweeney Todd Biomedical Waste Disposal

Most awesome name for a medical waste disposal company ever:  Sweeney Todd Biomedical Waste Disposal, seen in public toilet in Australia.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia; January 2015.


I am a naughty monkey!

This may be the best sign I saw in all of Borneo!  Aside from the naughty monkey (who is priceless), it seems like a bit of a gamble to put the warning that the monkeys take the posters, um, on a poster….

Rainforest Discovery Centre, Sepilok, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia; March, 2016.


When pictures and words don’t coordinate….

This bus(?)/taxi(?) sign seems a little confused.

Barcelona, Spain; June 2015.


Room Service is Regretted in Khaziranga, India

While at our hotel in Khaziranga India, we saw this notice on our menu….maybe letting us know how much we would regret ordering from room service?  Of course, if they’re selling “musrum” and “tamato” soups, I can see why it would be regrettable….

Khaziranga, Assam, India; April, 2014.


2014.11.16 Laughing Cow says Muuu!, Greek Cheese, Greece-

In Greece, even the Laughing Cow speeks Greek! Muuu

This is the Laughing Cow cheese I bought in Greece.  Turns out the cow is multilingual!  Impressive…

Greece, October, 2014.


What??? No Ice Cream???

What??? No Ice Cream???

This might actually be the saddest sign I’ve ever seen in my entire life.  No ice cream?  What kind of tragedy…?  What sort of monster would prevent…?  I can’t even….  I’m too upset!

Moscow, Russia; October 2015.

Penguins Crossing SLOW

Penguins Crossing SLOW

This is an actual sign from Oamaru, New Zealand!  I don’t know if it’s necessary for because the penguins actually cross the street (because I would like to see that!), but there are definitely penguins kicking it in the ocean there….

Oamaru, New Zealand; December 2014

Pedestrian Crossing Sign

Pedestrian Crossing Sign

This is a pedestrian crossing sign found in Qatar.  I love how it accurately represents the typical male dress of the culture!

Doha, Qatar.  May, 2014.

School for Smarties

School for Smarties

Saw this sign from a bus in the Canarias. Great name for a college!

Gran Canarias, Canary Islands, Spain. July 2014.

To be honest, I have no idea what actually goes in the Brew Kit/Magic Box on this Qatar Airways flight, but I’m dying to find out!

Brew Kit/Magic Box!

Brew Kit/Magic Box!

Qatar Airways, Doha, Qatar. May 2014.

Opposit Glasses

Opposit Glasses

This is a rather ambiguous – yet also suggestive – brand of glasses I happened upon in Sicily.  “Opposit: Sex is everywhere you see it.”  Ironically, the photo I took of the sign is blurry….

Catania, Sicily, September 2014.

Yes, our car DOES say "TOURTST Permit" - Meghalaya, India April 18, 2014

Yes, our car DOES say “TOURTST Permit” –
Meghalaya, India
April 18, 2014

* * *


Pipe Center near Vishakapatnam, AP, India April 2014

Pipe Center near Vishakapatnam, AP, India
April 2014

Holesale Pipes

Holesale Pipes

Now, I’m not actually sure whether this one is a Freudian slip, or a typo, or just the best spelling error EVER, but this is a shop just outside the Amulya Residency, which my cousin is building near Vizak, in Andhra Pradesh, India.

* * *


2014.4.1 20140401_122434 - Hyderabad - Dream Cream - Copy-001

Dream Cream – really?

So this is a brand of biscuit (cookie) available for sale throughout India.  I find the name relatively inappropriate.  Also inappropriate are the Dark Fantasy biscuits – and pretty much every bit of advertising on their packaging!!!   Escape into a Dark Fantasy…

Dark Fantasy - Choco Fills

Dark Fantasy – Choco Fills

* * *


Car Wash Sign Panaji, Goa, March 2014

Car Wash Sign
Panaji, Goa, March 2014

I saw this car wash in Panaji (or Panjim), the capital of Goa.  It has one of the best (most risque) signs I’ve ever seen, especially for a Car Wash situated directly next door to a church!!

*   *   *


Bangalore Ayeurvedic Camp

Bangalore Ayeurvedic Camp

I don’t even know where to begin on this little gem I saw just outside Bangalore in India…

*     *     *


Word Jumble - Baba Holet

Word Jumble – Baba Holet

Either this hotel in Assam, India is running a “Ho” Rental service, or someone jumbled up their letters…

*     *     *


Hippo Campus

Hippo Campus

A fantastic name for ANY campus. But this Petrol Station owner has a sense of humor. Welcome to the HippoCampus Service Station in Hyderabad. Petrol for you car.  Perhaps they sell information for your brain, too.

2014.4.24 IMG_3148 Free Air sign in Assam, India 992x1490-001

Facilities Available…Free Air!!!

Another sign I saw at a service station in Assam proudly advertised this service.  Free Air! (Yeah, I know it’s for your tires, but I love the sign, nonetheless.)

*     *     *


Wankhar Indane

Wankhar Services

Here is an unfortunate last name.  I might have gone with a different name for my business.

*     *     *

Road Safety Sign, India

Road Safety Sign, India

India enjoys putting up (vaguely) rhyming signs to remind people to drive safely.  “A step towards safety, A leap away from casualty,” “When safety sleeps, danger leaps,” and this awkward one (about prevention and the disinclination of rescue teams to save your dumb ass…?)

*     *     *

Wut Wut Wine Shop

Wut Wut Wine Shop

We’re going to the Wine Shop.  The Wut Wut?  Wine Shop!

In Assam, India.
*     *     *

Just baked!

Just baked!

Now here’s a great name for a bakery….

Just Baked, Kolkata, India.

April, 2014.
*     *     *

2014.4.30 IMG_3213 WTF Cafe Street sign, Kolkata, India 2729x1828-001Awesome name.  Just great.

Kolkata, India.
*     *     *

Sign in Kolkata Metro Station

Sign in Kolkata Metro Station

The person who put up this sign cares very little – whether for commas or for physically challenged men, I’m not sure.  “Seats are for physically challenged ladies and senior citizens.”  Punctuation:  it’s no joke!

Kolkata, India.

2014.5.5 2014-05-008

*     *     *

Shapely Softy

Shapely Softy

The girl in this ad looks almost as uncomfortable as looking at this ad makes me feel.

Kolkata, India.  May 2014.

*     *     *


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *