We’ve all come across delightful examples of mangled English when products are packaged overseas by those whose native language is not English.
This knife is one such example …
Made in China, it may possibly be a very useful utensil. But I bought it from a local store just for its packaging. This, from my perspective, is it’s most attractive feature because it makes me laugh. :)
While the front of the pack assures us the knife is Sharp, Secure, Sanitary and Convenient, the instructions for its safe use are less reassuring:
Perhaps the warning not to ‘test sharp by finger‘ simply shows faith in their product. Though admittedly very little faith in the intelligence of their customer base!
And I wonder … is the fifth and final instruction a warning for distracted and frazzled parents, so they remember to keep the knife out of their own reach? For the ‘safey‘ of their children? ;)
But the most fascinating sentence – and the most mangled example of all – is on the front of the package:
What on earth … ???
That one still has me scratching my head in bewilderment!
But hmmm …. the magical properties of ‘Excelsior”?
Perhaps I should take the knife out of its packaging after all. :)
Hi,
Having lived in South Africa for over thirty years, a country with 11 official languages, and myself coming from a portuguese background, there are many instances where such funny translations have occurred.
The most naive and delightful ones are generaly out of translating directly from Afrikaans into English.
A little “googling” work will produce various examples.