# Signs or graffiti that give you pause... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 28, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621 "2013-02-28T11:38:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/41 "2013-03-01T03:25:52Z")
I saw this [no smoking sign turned into a no pie sign](http://50gooddeeds.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/no-pie.jpg?w=500). Well, not that one specifically but the same thing inside a bus stop in Portland. I thought it was pretty clever at the time, but it’s apparently a meme. The new Jeeps are no longer off road vehicles but just luxury SUVs. It’s a Jeep thing indeed. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/42 "2013-03-01T03:26:41Z")
I have always laughed at the billboards that say “Depression… It’s the number 1 cause of suicide.” Well, um, yeah. Like I’m going to commit suicide because I just landed my dream job? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/43 "2013-03-01T03:37:04Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > For years, I saw signs at the checkout counter at 7-Eleven saying “We check ID for alll Under 30.” I’d sarcasticaly wonder “How do you know they’re under 30 befor you check ID?” > > Now, those stores usually have a sign saying “We check ID for anyone who looks under 30.” Looks under 30 what? Mushrooms? Living room couches? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/44 "2013-03-01T03:44:01Z")
In an old building on campus, in the basement, there is a short flight of steps leading down to a blank wall. There obviously used to be some kind of door or passageway there, but now it’s just smooth plaster at the foot of the steps. Upon which, someone has scrawled in tiny script for the love of god montresor ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/45 "2013-03-01T04:12:38Z")
I was on a road trip through rural Maine when I came upon a decrepit wooden shack covered in undergrowth. I was attracted by the old truck under a collapsed roof of an attached shed and stopped to take a look around. It was an old one-room schoolhouse and one wall was peppered with graffiti. Not your usual vulgarities and band logos but more poignant things like “HJ Boyton finish school here in 1912 came back in 1965 Sept”. Among all of those nostalgic memories and in a small neat script was my favorite, and perhaps the most poetic. “Betty was hot as a cannon and got screwed here on a beautiful night”. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/46 "2013-03-01T04:21:16Z")
There’s a couple on the roads here in Panama that always make me do a double take. One is the _Dago Restaurant_. I think it’s owned by a guy who is actually named Dagoberto. There are also billboards that say _KIKE!_ in huge letters. It’s actually the nickname of a local politician named Enrique (and is pronounced Kee-kay). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/47 "2013-03-01T06:46:20Z")
Years ago in South San Francisco along Hwy 101 there was a billboard I really liked. It said, simply, **key pure ice under ode** (read it quickly, running the words together) ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/48 "2013-03-01T09:27:02Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > In an old building on campus, in the basement, there is a short flight of steps leading down to a blank wall. There obviously used to be some kind of door or passageway there, but now it’s just smooth plaster at the foot of the steps. Upon which, someone has scrawled in tiny script > > for the love of god montresor College graffiti is the best. The University of Delaware, for many years, had an overpass upon which was painted ‘T.J. Eckleburg’ with a pair of glasses. Long gone now, but beautiful it its way. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/49 "2013-03-01T12:39:55Z")
One of my favorites is the one that re-appears every now and then on a bridge going over the Washington DC Beltway when the Mormon Temple comes into view: [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage\_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A\_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461\_1\_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+—+what’s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461_1_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+%E2%80%94+what%E2%80%99s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+—+What’s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+%E2%80%94+What%E2%80%99s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) Heck, it takes up half of the Wikipedia entry on the topic: > **[Surrender Dorothy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_Dorothy)** > > "Surrender Dorothy" is a famous special effect used in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, where the Wicked Witch of the West flies on her broomstick to write the two-word phrase across the sky. The phrase later attained local fame as graffiti in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. > The first appearance of the phrase is in the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz (it is not in the novel or any previous adaptations). In the scene, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) has reached the Emerald City with her comp... ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/50 "2013-03-01T12:50:57Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One of my favorites is the one that re-appears every now and then on a bridge going over the Washington DC Beltway when the Mormon Temple comes into view: > > [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage\_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A\_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461\_1\_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+—+what’s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461_1_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+%E2%80%94+what%E2%80%99s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) > > [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+—+What’s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+%E2%80%94+What%E2%80%99s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) > > Heck, it takes up half of the Wikipedia entry on the topic: > > [Surrender Dorothy - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_Dorothy) Post 3 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/51 "2013-03-01T13:08:57Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Then there is the famous one on the Washington Beltway in Maryland that I saw when I was going to school there. As you go under an overpass you could see the words “Surrender Dorothy” just as the Mormon Temple came into view. The temple looks just like the Emerald City. The graffiti has been covered [up](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_Dorothy). > > ETA found an old picture of the original [graffiti.](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfwpDpOMU2E/Ti5d1Uh5LaI/AAAAAAAAEQg/kSBdxMUmhe8/s1600/Surrender%2BDorothy%2Bprank%2Bgraffiti.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.deceptology.com/2011/07/surrender-dorothy-tracing-origins-of.html&h=564&w=425&sz=43&tbnid=mRBoY8riTTB3oM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=68&zoom=1&usg=__yEJZcaCMp_6BLD0q_mb5LOxM21Y=&docid=Zs6kExRWNT7itM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vVovUernF8Tb0QH-2IGIDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEYQ9QEwAw&dur=2017) That is a great one. I really like it. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/52 "2013-03-01T14:31:09Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Post 3 Sorry. I read the thread, but somehow managed to miss that. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/53 "2013-03-01T16:12:10Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One of my favorites is the one that re-appears every now and then on a bridge going over the Washington DC Beltway when the Mormon Temple comes into view: > > [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage\_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A\_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461\_1\_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+—+what’s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTD2oDBRzjIA1taJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D33&w=606&h=805&imgurl=www.washingtonpost.com%2Frf%2Fimage_606w%2F2010-2019%2FWashingtonPost%2F2011%2F06%2F24%2FLocal%2FImages%2FKELLYCOL26%2520A_1308947400.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.washingtonpost.com%2F2011-06-25%2Flocal%2F35265461_1_beltway-overpass-mormon-temple-state-highway&size=102.4+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+painted+on+a+Beltway+overpass+%E2%80%94+what%E2%80%99s+the+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=de0991c0b67d6423e10f7896c7996eba&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2Bpainted%2Bon%2Ba%2BBeltway%2Boverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2Bwhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2Bthe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=33&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13bg8bder&sigb=15s86k002&sigi=13j7il67d&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) > > [http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;\_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26\_adv\_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=\Surrender+\<%2Fb\>Dorothy’+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+—+What’s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH](http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoTBQoTBRAksAmR6JzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3DWashington%2BDC%2BMormon%2BTemple%2BSurrender%2BDorothy%26fr%3Dyfp-t-200%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D36&w=500&h=610&imgurl=www.baltimoreorless.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FSurrender-Dorothy-article.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baltimoreorless.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fsurrender-dorothy-painted-on-a-beltway-overpass-whats-the-story%2F&size=78.1+KB&name=%3Cb%3ESurrender+%3C%2Fb%3EDorothy%E2%80%99+Painted+On+A+Beltway+Overpass+%E2%80%94+What%E2%80%99s+The+...&p=Washington+DC+Mormon+Temple+Surrender+Dorothy&oid=0f903a972390b99d292e009f0b1db7ef&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-200&tt=%253Cb%253ESurrender%2B%253C%252Fb%253EDorothy%25E2%2580%2599%2BPainted%2BOn%2BA%2BBeltway%2BOverpass%2B%25E2%2580%2594%2BWhat%25E2%2580%2599s%2BThe%2B...&b=29&ni=140&no=36&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=137vq7fgn&sigb=15sitgoms&sigi=12gi1dg2g&.crumb=G.kSrW0OssH) > > Heck, it takes up half of the Wikipedia entry on the topic: > > [Surrender Dorothy - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_Dorothy) What is with the enormous amounts of blank space that are always in your posts? Is it intentional? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/54 "2013-03-01T16:23:00Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > What is with the enormous amounts of blank space that are always in your posts? Is it intentional? Generally. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/55 "2013-03-01T16:31:27Z")
Having run across a few in downtown Pittsburgh, Toynbee tiles. > **[Toynbee tiles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toynbee_tiles)** > > The Toynbee tiles, also called Toynbee plaques, are messages of unknown origin found embedded in asphalt of streets in about two dozen major cities in the United States and four South American cities. Since the 1980s, several hundred tiles have been discovered. They are generally about the size of an American license plate (roughly 30 by 15 cm or 12 by 6 in), but sometimes considerably larger. They contain some variation of the following inscription: > TOYNBEE IDEA > IN MOViE '2001 > RESURRECT DEAD > ... ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/56 "2013-03-01T17:37:31Z")
For years I was intrigued by the word “PEAS” on a bridge on the M25 (The Motorway that encircles London). It was only after altered it to “GIVE PEAS A CHANCE” that I found out that “PEAS” was the tag of a graffiti daredevil (rather than artist IMHO). [Pics here (Scroll down)](http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=38126&sid=f4a27f1512c6a7e406cac1afcb5d4a3d) For (too many) years there was a piece of graffiti on the right hand side as you approached Lime St. Station in Liverpool which, in large spidery lettering (painted rather than sprayed) complete with serifs, proclaimed: “COCKNEYS DIE”. That always gave pause for thought. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/57 "2013-03-01T17:58:25Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > The best graffiti I ever saw was on a bus, up on the overhead advertising. We had a big scandal here years ago, where a local company pretended to find gold somewhere overseas - it was a huge financial mess, people died, etc. Anyway, Reeses peanut butter cups had a campaign at the time that was showing a cross-section of a peanut butter cup, and someone had labelled the peanut butter section as, “Bre-X gold.” It totally cracked my shit up. 😃 > > Also seen on a condom vending machine: “This gum is rubbery and tastes funny.” Funny. both of them. Especially Bre-X. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Srsly\_Dad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Srsly\_Dad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Srsly_Dad)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/58 "2013-03-01T18:08:00Z")
This is an actual road not an altered sign. This is Interstate 75 in Michigan. Probably been seen by some before since there are many pictures on the web Guess what the exit number Big Beaver Road is (NSFW): [spoiler][http://www.damagenoted.com/gallery/v/detroit/aay.jpg.html[/spoiler]](http://www.damagenoted.com/gallery/v/detroit/aay.jpg.html%5B/spoiler%5D) There is also a Hooters restaurant just off the exit, Not actually on Big Beaver Road, but close. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/59 "2013-03-01T18:09:45Z")
Not graffiti, but I thought the scare quotes were hilarious so I took a picture. This was in 2011, when the Canadian dollar was trading well above the US dollar. [Shell lays down the law.](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150282642655991&set=a.457874525990.243406.750170990&type=3&theater) ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621/60 "2013-03-01T18:15:48Z")
And this one is actual bathroom wall graffiti. On the bathroom wall. Cracks me up every time. [Octopus and Rabatman](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150961828875991&set=a.10150905818150991.464145.750170990&type=3&theater) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-or-graffiti-that-give-you-pause/651621.md?page=4)