# Signature lines in a foreign language **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 5, 2000, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861 "2000-11-05T23:25:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SkinnyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@SkinnyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkinnyGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2000, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/1 "2000-11-05T23:25:55Z")
And by foreign I mean a language the majority of the SDMB members does not understand. There is a Board member who has a particularly pathetic and demeaning sig line. But it’s not in English. Because if it was in English, a lot of people would have seen it by now (this person’s post count is incredible), and a lot of them would have complained. I hope. Having lurked more than posted, I know UncleBeer - after having been supplied with a translation - would have taken his favourite canned beverage and shoved it up this person’s anal passage, because it particularly demeans someone UB likes a lot. Someone who also understands that sig. (And someone who also will laugh at the pathetic spelling mistake in one of the words. The naughty word. There’s supposed to be an ‘a’ between the first and second letters. And I think it’s supposed to have an ‘r’ at the end as well. If you’re going to do something, do it right.) I like a joke just as much as the next person, but if you want to be The Man, _be_ a man and put your sig in English. And get some kevlar. The funny thing is, this guy’s posts are okay and he’s been a member for a while, so who am I to judge? But no matter how helpful or enlightning a post is, a sig line like this negates it all. A quick search learned me that he does not post in The Pit very often, so chances are he won’t read this. But if you (yes, you!) do read this, get rid of the line. Please. It’s pathetic. So how’s that for restraint? ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/2 "2000-11-06T00:00:05Z")
Restraint? Don’t show restraint. Satisfy my burning curiosity. That’s what you’re all here for isn’t it? It is all about me, right? ---
**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/3 "2000-11-06T00:58:44Z")
😃 * * * le type maigre est trop jeune pour fumer ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/4 "2000-11-06T01:20:26Z")
According to Babelfish, that says “the thin type is too young to smoke.” And besides, I know that’s not your sig. And SkinnyGuy, are you implying that UncleBeer would actually waste beer? I don’t believe it. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/5 "2000-11-06T02:23:45Z")
SkinnyGuy you don’t have to get into a flame war but you could let us know who it is or what the sig. says. I don’t think you realise how nosey I am 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/6 "2000-11-06T02:49:06Z")
OK, help us out here, _Aangeklede Bezemsteel_. At least tell us in WHAT language the aforementioned sig is penned down. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/7 "2000-11-06T02:54:19Z")
Yes, yes yes…enquiring minds DEMAND to know! ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/8 "2000-11-06T03:00:36Z")
Eek, I was afraid for a minute it was me! But, I’m not a guy, I don’t have an incredible post count and Uncle Beer doesn’t know me from Eve. In case anyone’s wondering, it’s Sanskrit. Lord Krsna saying to Arjuna: “Fully think on what I have said, then do as you see fit” (more or less… “deliberating fully on this, accordingly act as you see fit” might be a better translation). But yeah, I’m curious too. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/9 "2000-11-06T04:54:30Z")
Guinastasia, great quote. My favorite from the book is “Road House is the finest American film. Certainly it stinks, but I believe the filmmakers meant it to, and succeeded grandly.” ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/10 "2000-11-06T08:04:05Z")
If there’s a naughty word in my sig, it wasn’t intentional. It’s supposed to be an allusion to one of Magritte’s paintings, _The Betrayal of Images_. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/11 "2000-11-06T08:04:16Z")
SkinnyGuy, being a provincial typical ugly American, I only speak one language, with the exception of a few choice Spanish curses. If one of the SD members is routinely posting an offensive sig line, please bring it to the attention one of the staff members and we’ll deal with it promptly. Our e-mail addresses are available in various locations on this board. Thank you. And Rasa, I’m certain I can tell the difference between you and Eve. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/12 "2000-11-06T10:25:01Z")
Lest anyone think the accused is me (though I’m a chick with a post count that’s moderate at best), the second line of my signature says “Do not cross the street before the bus has driven off”. As prosaic as that. And it’s spelled correctly. I have no idea who the person is, and **SkinnyGuy’s** accusation doesn’t exactly contain much helpful information. ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/13 "2000-11-06T10:48:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flodnak \* > \*\*Lest anyone think the accused is me (though I’m a chick with a post count that’s moderate at best), the second line of my signature says “Do not cross the street before the bus has driven off”. As prosaic as that. And it’s spelled correctly. > > I have no idea who the person is, and **SkinnyGuy’s** accusation doesn’t exactly contain much helpful information. \*\* Hmm. Maybe all of us with foreign sig lines should explain ourselves… Let’s see. _I’m_ a male (last I checked my genitalia, anyway), and I don’t post in the pit very often. I also have been a member here for a while, and have a reasonably high post count. Maybe he means me??? For those curious, “Honi soit qui mal y pense” means “Evil to whom Evil thinks” (Said in case anyone thinks I’m implying anything improper with respect to the lady friends in my sig) Here’s a webpage which elaborates further: [http://www.royal.gov.uk/faq/arms.htm](http://www.royal.gov.uk/faq/arms.htm) Incidentally, if I recall correctly, this phrase is credited to Edward III, grandson of Edward Longshanks of Braveheart fame. Honi soit qui mal y pense. ---
**Author:** ![TomH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/90db22/32.png) [@TomH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TomH)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/14 "2000-11-06T11:05:24Z")
> [@](#): > > For those curious, “Honi soit qui mal y pense” means “Evil to whom Evil thinks” It means “_shame_ to him who thinks evil of it”, as every schoolboy knows. And, yes, the translation on the Queen’s website is wrong (though the other three mottoes on that website are translated correctly). ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/15 "2000-11-06T11:22:54Z")
Thanks, SG. We’ll take care of it shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/16 "2000-11-06T12:21:08Z")
Well, by dint of detective work, I figured out it was Wh_mm_. But now all his sigs say “Deleted in the name of decency”. However- we are allowing profanity in the PIT, so I think ol Unca should NOT have edited it out of the PIT- elsewhere, especially his own baliwick- of course. Next time, SG, don’t leave us guessing, OK? ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/17 "2000-11-06T12:36:58Z")
Daniel, you are incorrect on all counts. It’s not Wh_mm_, nor did I edit any posts/sigs. We’re going to write e-mail to the offender asking that person to change the sig line. Additionally, I find this persons sig far more offensive than mere profanity; it’s more along the lines of an ethnic slur. Hell, I’m one of the most profane people here; if were to edit for profanity, I’d be in serious trouble, myself. Also, editing a sig line changes **all** instances of that sig. Let us handle it, please. Speculation does nothing in the cause of fighting ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/18 "2000-11-06T12:53:23Z")
Between the enquiring minds and the guilty consciences, I’m not quite sure what to say. 🙂 We are taking care of the situation. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. This is the second case of this type we’ve had lately, the previous one being a colloquialism in another culture that turned out to be a “fighting words” kind of insult. The party in question was using it as their screen name. We got clued in and got them to change it. Some of us here at the Straight Dope do well to manage in English, so any help our multicultural Teeming Millions can give us is often quite useful. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/19 "2000-11-06T13:40:25Z")
I’ve no idea who it is/ was (although the notion that it might have been Whammo of all people is hilarious) and maybe it would have been better if this had been sent straight to the admins, but I like your instincts as well as your style **SkinnyGuy**. More stuff from you would be most welcome. “Moldy” is American for “mouldy” indeed. ---
**Author:** ![yESTERDAY\_mAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a87d85/32.png) [@yESTERDAY\_mAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yESTERDAY_mAN)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861/20 "2000-11-06T13:56:46Z")
My signature means “The President of the United States is very horny”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-lines-in-a-foreign-language/39861.md?page=2)