# Question about Engrish.com **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 27, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784 "2008-10-27T16:43:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/21 "2008-10-28T03:21:24Z")
I have an empty iced coffee can on my desk, labeled “Roots innocent brew.” There is some writing under that, in kanji (which I can’t read) and more English under that: ``` - REAL BLEND- ``` Real technology brings you an aromatic coffee break and a fine life. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/22 "2008-10-28T04:07:49Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > My question is, do people in Japan, or China, or whatever, really wear this stuff? I’d NEVER wear something with Japanese or Chinese characters, unless I KNEW what they meant. Any one in / from East Asia have experience with this? Oh, hell yes. All shot in Japan, by me: [Simple minded eternity loving like myself](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/696004337/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Go Frying](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/1247510685/in/set-72157594557424169/) [The bee are now walking marching through the dreamy…!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2196769713/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Dissipated: NOW vigorous Lives are Multiplent](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2197560338/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Larvae of bee nod gaily](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2629397809/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Gutsy team that shows a lot of spunk](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2629377125/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Lucky Devil: Ambience of Gaaiety: Convivial Mood](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2630214774/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Region richly endowed with nature](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2630210606/in/set-72157594557424169/) (perfect gift for a top-heavy girlfriend) [Sniff airily: Gamesomely](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2630206386/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Bright Creaming](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2787069114/in/set-72157594557424169/) [CONTINUED UNMEASURED ENDLESS DESPAIR](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2894111573/in/set-72157594557424169/) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/23 "2008-10-28T06:22:19Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Yes they do. It’s like us putting Chinese characters on stuff, as a design. The meaning doesn’t really matter. I think that might explain some of the incomprehensible assembly instructions I’ve seen here and there. “It’s not instructions at all! We just thought that while you’re assembling our product, you might want to take a break and enjoy a pleasing picture.” ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/24 "2008-10-28T08:58:50Z")
> [@Wash](#): > > [Here you go](http://www.engrish.com/2006/06/baseball-team/) > > And here’s the [Lickers](http://www.engrish.com/2006/10/go-team/), too Thanks - saved me the trouble of finding them again 😉 As a Seattle Mariners fan, I can’t help noticing how familiar those uniforms look. The compass rose on the chest and the logo patch on the sleeves look just like Mariners logos. A couple others I like: [F\*ing Cute](http://www.engrish.com//wp-content/uploads/2008/08/f-king-cutefit.jpg)! [These panties bring out the misogynist in me](http://www.engrish.com//wp-content/uploads/2008/08/entrance-of-hell.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/25 "2008-10-28T11:14:17Z")
[Whip it to me!](http://engrishfunny.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/whip-it-to-me1.jpg?w=445&h=359) (Notice that at least one person seems to be aware of the implications.) [Keep my way Fuck world is mine.](http://engrishfunny.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/keep-my-way-fck-world-is-mi.jpg?w=371&h=435) [Horse balls](http://engrishfunny.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/horse-balls.jpg?w=350&h=400) [Emergency cock.](http://engrishfunny.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/emergency-cock.jpg?w=376&h=283) A Doper once posted a link to a blog of a woman in Turkey who photographed bizarre T-shirt slogans. Apparently, part of the reason for this was that the shirts are printed up by people who don’t speak English very well, so they don’t realize that they screwed up Abercrombie & Fitch’s Fall line. Rather than trashing the stuff, its sold on the cheap in the countries where its made. That’s also where they dump T-shirts for losing sports teams (“Cubs 2008 World Series Champs” for example.) ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/26 "2008-10-28T12:48:33Z")
I think I want that Delaware shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/27 "2008-10-28T13:06:55Z")
“Our suggestion is the offer for the rich hour in copious spot with incredible taste under the very progressed atmosphere.” I saw this slogan in a restaurant in Tokyo - on the tablecloths, on the menus, even engraved on the windows. It must have cost them a packet. And that was one of the more \*comprehensible \*bits of English I saw in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/28 "2008-10-28T13:15:55Z")
From a text-only section of [Engrish.com](http://Engrish.com): > [@Engrish from You](#): > > Well-dressed, elegant woman strolling through the Chiba convention center; chocolate-brown, wide-wale corduroy baseball cap with gold-embroidered lettering: “Stop Sucking Corporate Cock.” I would pay to see a picture of that being worn on the street. Especially by a well-dressed, elegant woman. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/29 "2008-10-28T13:34:46Z")
I think “Fetal Heart Custody” has something to do with a confusion about the alternate sense of “ward…” …[but this near-miss for “Pelvic Exams”](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhaagen/262083226/) is priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/30 "2008-10-28T14:26:33Z")
Wow, thanks for all the input. But really, all you native English-speakers, would you wear a shirt with a foreign language slogan that you didn’t understand? Joe ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/31 "2008-10-28T15:48:42Z")
After having visited [engrish.com](http://engrish.com), I won’t be wearing tees with foreign writing I cannot read or understand. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/32 "2008-10-28T15:53:03Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > But really, all you native English-speakers, would you wear a shirt with a foreign language slogan that you didn’t understand? No, and (in my experience) the people who do are ignorant, pretentious little yahoos. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/33 "2008-10-28T17:55:28Z")
I might wear these: (Note: this site may ask you to verify your age, but there’s nothing NSFW on these pages.) [Looking for a Japanese Girlfriend](http://www.jlist.com/IMAGE/rjwmk) [I’m Perverted](http://www.jlist.com/IMAGE/dq02h) [I Love Alcohol](http://www.jlist.com/IMAGE/5froq) I was sure J-List had a shirt that said, in kanji, “Yes, I know what this shirt says”, but now I don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/34 "2008-10-28T18:51:16Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > Oh, hell yes. > > All shot in Japan, by me: Dude, that was one huge load of pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/35 "2008-10-28T22:01:01Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Wow, thanks for all the input. > > But really, all you native English-speakers, would you wear a shirt with a foreign language slogan that you didn’t understand? > > Joe Sure, why not? Odds are that it doesn’t say, “Kill this one first.” Apparently I already wear shirts in a language I don’t understand: sports. I’ll be innocently wearing a green tee shirt, and some yahoo will walk up to me and say, “Your team sucks,” or “Haw haw, _great_ game last night,” and I’ll have no freakin’ clue what they’re talking about. Then it ends up having to do with whatever team’s shirt I’m wearing. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/36 "2008-10-28T22:05:28Z")
Once in a bookstore in the Little Tokyo area of L.A., I saw a men’s magazine subtitled, “Intelligent Shower for Men.” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/37 "2008-10-28T22:13:33Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Wow, thanks for all the input. > > But really, all you native English-speakers, would you wear a shirt with a foreign language slogan that you didn’t understand? > > Joe My cousin once bought a black T-shirt with gold Egyptian hieroglyphs from a museum gift shop just because he thought the design looked awesome. Then one day he was waiting for a bus and he noticed a woman looking at his shirt strangely. She asked if he knew what the hieroglyphs said, and he admitted that he didn’t realize they said anything in particular. According to her, they read “I am a beautiful Egyptian princess.” ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/38 "2008-10-28T23:24:39Z")
As already posted by **friedo** , English speakers tend to get indelible tattoos in a language they can’t understand: [Motherly Beast Blessing](http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/10/motherly-beast-blessing.html) [Real Melon Knows Men](http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/10/real-melon-knows-men.html) [Not a Strength Trap](http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/10/ambiguous-hanzi-tattoo-case-study-3.html) [My Abusive Husband Pimps Me Out](http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/12/abusive-husband-pimps-me-out.html) [Idiot Child](http://www.hanzismatter.com/2004/12/master-of-stupidity.html) ---
**Author:** ![Wisp00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/977dab/32.png) [@Wisp00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisp00)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/39 "2008-10-29T07:31:11Z")
> [@Wash](#): > > And here’s the [Lickers](http://www.engrish.com/2006/10/go-team/), too I’m especially amused that their coach does not look like he’s Japanese. Sure, that doesn’t mean that he speaks English, but what if he does 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vintageloveletter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@vintageloveletter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vintageloveletter)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784/40 "2008-10-29T07:43:34Z")
This gave me a laugh. [http://usedwigs.com/tattoos/](http://usedwigs.com/tattoos/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-engrish-com/469784.md?page=3)