Japan is known for its funny use of English in many forms, from official notices to T-shirt designs and advertising. Just check out engrish.com if you are not familiar with the 'funny and far-out' English you'll find here.
Going shopping affords many opportunities to ponder over these vocabulary and phrasing choices, and the lack of editors and advisors in the field. Today I've compiled a list of my favourite (or worst) clothing store names, just to give you an idea of what happens when you try to name something in a language you know nothing about (like when people buy T-shirts with 'cool' Chinese characters on them that actually say 'noodles' or 'happy new year').
Silly Japanese clothing store names
You can check out (and even buy!) most of their clothes at Outlet Peak.
Note/disclaimer: Some of these might not be originally Japanese. I apologise to Japan as a nation should that be the case. Also, if you speak French, it might be worth checking out the other brands on the Outlet Peak site as I imagine they are equally silly.
Be Radiance
Croon a song
Detail Complex
Jet Lag Drive
Lure Conscious
As Know As (Pinky) (this one irritates me the most)
Cantwo
Human Woman
Dip Drops
Ehyphenworld Gallery
Mysty Woman
Nice Claup
Glownaked
Prime Chair
Cameronracy
BestLip
Egoist
Gamble Fish
Shine be model
Sneep dip
Titty & co (yes, really)
Pu-recalm on the couch (I just found this one yesterday)
What are your favourites? Any to add?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
birthday blog - my worst words
Well, this isn't actually a birthday blog. What is a birthday blog? It just happens to be my birthday.
I've had this list in my brain (actually, I admit - admit, Lu! - that I had it on my google notebook as well) for some time, and I'd like to get it out there and see what people have to add or comment on.
My Worst Words
This list is in no particular order. Some of these words are real and some are made up.
fashionista
hubby
wacky
zany
celeb
imbibe
creative used as a noun
absorption
the low-down
gifting
orientate
tween (not the animation tween, the pre-pubescent)
pundit
hoosier
irregardless
kudos
proactive
guestimate
ciné
caucus
fact: (before imparting some information)
...and some phrases that bug me too
paradigm shift
hunker down
from the get-go
melting pot
listen up
what it all comes down to
here's the thing
What do you think? Which are your worst?
EDIT: Some winners from a certain anonymous contributor:
eclectic
fusion
acumen
frenetic
bowels
tableaux
symbology
potpourri
gimlet
mythos
mucus
taciturn
polony
volvo
(He also included vibe, integrate, naughty, 3D, billiards, prudent and chrome, but I didn't put them in the list as they don't bother me personally.)
I've had this list in my brain (actually, I admit - admit, Lu! - that I had it on my google notebook as well) for some time, and I'd like to get it out there and see what people have to add or comment on.
My Worst Words
This list is in no particular order. Some of these words are real and some are made up.
fashionista
hubby
wacky
zany
celeb
imbibe
creative used as a noun
absorption
the low-down
gifting
orientate
tween (not the animation tween, the pre-pubescent)
pundit
hoosier
irregardless
kudos
proactive
guestimate
ciné
caucus
fact: (before imparting some information)
...and some phrases that bug me too
paradigm shift
hunker down
from the get-go
melting pot
listen up
what it all comes down to
here's the thing
What do you think? Which are your worst?
EDIT: Some winners from a certain anonymous contributor:
eclectic
fusion
acumen
frenetic
bowels
tableaux
symbology
potpourri
gimlet
mythos
mucus
taciturn
polony
volvo
(He also included vibe, integrate, naughty, 3D, billiards, prudent and chrome, but I didn't put them in the list as they don't bother me personally.)
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