# Visual misinterpretations **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804 "2009-10-14T16:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/21 "2009-10-15T00:30:40Z")
I used to think the [neighborhood watch](http://www.virginiamn.us/neighborhood_watch.jpg) sign was some sort of spinner or a Ouija Board accessory. Never saw it as a sideways-glancing eye. ---
**Author:** ![G.Pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@G.Pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.Pie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/22 "2009-10-15T02:40:16Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > The first icon - the blue one - is just weird. Yes, it is. What is the clock supposed to represent? Is there something especially bad about peeing at 3:30? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/23 "2009-10-15T03:28:29Z")
**Malleus, Incus, Stapes!** (I assume unknowingly) brought up one of mine: The [“religious” label](http://data:image/jpeg;base64,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%3D%3D) used by **wierddave** ’s [SDMB badge plugin](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=531870) always looks like an ear to me. It’s actually two hands praying ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/24 "2009-10-15T03:31:08Z")
> [@G.Pie](#): > > Yes, it is. What is the clock supposed to represent? Is there something especially bad about peeing at 3:30? More like you’re always peeing. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/25 "2009-10-15T03:59:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [FedEx logo.](http://bestdealkeeper.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/fedex-logo.79113042_std.jpeg) Never saw the arrow until it was pointed out. Well I’ll be dipped in shit. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/26 "2009-10-15T05:08:40Z")
> [@Rack-a-Bones](#): > > People complained that it looked like a devil tail. Or a barbed penis. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/27 "2009-10-15T05:39:06Z")
The [Arby’s](http://www.ordable.com/img/lists/what-is-your-favorite-fast-food-restaurant/items/2707200920013457px-Arby27s_logo_svg.png) used to look like some sort of fish jumping out of a pond or something when I was little. It took me forever to figure out that it was supposed to be a cowboy’s hat. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/28 "2009-10-15T07:27:07Z")
There’s a “heart health” logo on bottles of Diet Coke. (Seen in the upper part of [this](https://offers.rebateplus.com/images/rebateimages/period108/104raAPR.png).) It’s a dress with a heart over it. But I swear to god it looks like a little devil with an eyepatch (or just winking, like [this](http://www.nickvolkert.com/portfolio/illustration/images/freebsdlogo.gif).) ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/29 "2009-10-15T08:29:37Z")
The old post office logo always reminded me of an airline captains hat. I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/30 "2009-10-15T11:18:41Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > There’s a “heart health” logo on bottles of Diet Coke. (Seen in the upper part of [this](https://offers.rebateplus.com/images/rebateimages/period108/104raAPR.png).) It’s a dress with a heart over it. But I swear to god it looks like a little devil with an eyepatch (or just winking, like [this](http://www.nickvolkert.com/portfolio/illustration/images/freebsdlogo.gif).) The best I can do is make it into a devil cat. The Dodge Ram, however, is obviously a uterus. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2009, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/31 "2009-10-15T12:02:34Z")
I think I can be forgiven for this one, because it’s NOT clear unless you know its history, which wasn’t something I knew. When I first moved to upstate New York, I was confused by the railroad boxcars with the **Chessie System** logo on it: [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Chessie\_System\_logo.png](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Chessie_System_logo.png) (Sorry it’s so small – it was really big on the trains: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/3332/3514732702_02e0c5f7ed_z.jpg "Chessie System Rail Car") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pittsburghrailfan/3514732702/) [http://www.chessiesystem.net/](http://www.chessiesystem.net/) [http://www.sd45.com/chessie/index.htm](http://www.sd45.com/chessie/index.htm)). What the hell was that supposed to be? It was obviously serving as a sort of capital “C”, but the crinkly shape on the inside of the “C” made no sense. The first time I saw one, I thought the paint on the logo had cracked and peeled that way. Then I saw others, and realized that it was _supposed_ to be that way, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. It looked like the silhouette of some oddly distorted cat, possibly drawn by someone with limited artistic ability. I eventually learned that it was the silhouette of a sleeping kitten in bed – the odd shape was due to some parts being obscured by the sheets and pillows: [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chessie.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chessie.jpg) [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C%26O_sleep.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C%26O_sleep.jpg) “Sleep like a kitten” was the motto, obviously harking back to the days when they mainly hauled passengers instead of coal and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/32 "2009-10-15T13:52:35Z")
The stylized ‘C’ logo of Champion athletic wear always looks like a little laughing demon to me, even when correctly oriented. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/33 "2009-10-15T14:32:17Z")
A little test for those of you having trouble with the deer head decal - do you also see the doe? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/34 "2009-10-15T14:56:38Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > A little test for those of you having trouble with the deer head decal - do you also see the doe? I see a vase. Oh, and two people kissing. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/35 "2009-10-15T15:04:10Z")
> [@](#): > > There’s a “heart health” logo on bottles of Diet Coke. (Seen in the upper part of this.) It’s a dress with a heart over it. But I swear to god it looks like a little devil with an eyepatch (or just winking, like this.) many years ago Boston’s _Real Paper_ ran a feature called _The Real Puzzle_, with offbeat puzzles. One of them featured wordless signs used at the Olympics – you were supposed to match them to their proper meaning. The puzzle proved to me that the signs were pretty much failures. My favorite was what was supposed to be the Female Athletes sign – it was a stylized woman in an sleeveless athletic shirt (like a basketball shirt), with a light circle (on a dark background) for a head, and her torso in the shirt outlined (with white arms), and a pair of outlined circle breasts (to show this was a girl and not a guy). apparently a lot of people described it as “An Owl Hooting at the Moon”. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/36 "2009-10-15T15:06:41Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Frankly, I think [this one](http://executivemedia.com/files/SafePlace.jpg) for “SafePlace” looks like exactly the opposite of what it’s supposed to. It looks to me like a “Warning – Cthulhu Crossing” sign. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/37 "2009-10-15T15:24:11Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I think I can be forgiven for this one, because it’s NOT clear unless you know its history, which wasn’t something I knew. > > When I first moved to upstate New York, I was confused by the railroad boxcars with the **Chessie System** logo on it: > [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Chessie\_System\_logo.png](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Chessie_System_logo.png) > (Sorry it’s so small – it was really big on the trains: > > [Chessie System Rail Car | we spotted a string of railcars th… | Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/pittsburghrailfan/3514732702/) > > [http://www.chessiesystem.net/](http://www.chessiesystem.net/) > > [Minnesota's Senate District 45 Republicans](http://www.sd45.com/chessie/index.htm)). > > What the hell was that supposed to be? It was obviously serving as a sort of capital “C”, but the crinkly shape on the inside of the “C” made no sense. The first time I saw one, I thought the paint on the logo had cracked and peeled that way. Then I saw others, and realized that it was _supposed_ to be that way, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. > > It looked like the silhouette of some oddly distorted cat, possibly drawn by someone with limited artistic ability. > > I eventually learned that it was the silhouette of a sleeping kitten in bed – the odd shape was due to some parts being obscured by the sheets and pillows: > > [File:Chessie.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chessie.jpg) > > [File:C&O sleep.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:C%26O_sleep.jpg) > > “Sleep like a kitten” was the motto, obviously harking back to the days when they mainly hauled passengers instead of coal and the like. There is a logic to it, of the ‘game of telephone’ variety. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal -\> Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad -\> Chesapeake Systems (CSX) -\> Chessie Systems -\> Cheshire Cat -\> kitten logo (which was depicted on a boxcar in a movie with Julia Roberts, who played opposite Sean Connery, who costarred with Mel Gibson, who played the mentor to Kevin Bacon in…) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/38 "2009-10-15T16:31:52Z")
Long after the Pontiac icon _elsewhere_ on their cars had gone to the [V-shaped](http://www.universaldecals.com/DECALS/GMC/images/pontiac_emblem.jpg) emblem, the red hi-beam indicator on the dashboard was still an outline of the [old Indian head logo](http://www.universaldecals.com/DECALS/GMC/images/pontiac_emblem.jpg). With no features, just the (simplified) outline of a head with neck and the headdress, it mostly looked like a manufacturing accident. I always wondered why they couldn’t manage to make a nice round hole for the red light to shine through instead of that jagged thing. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/39 "2009-10-15T16:33:55Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Long after the Pontiac icon _elsewhere_ on their cars had gone to the [V-shaped](http://www.universaldecals.com/DECALS/GMC/images/pontiac_emblem.jpg) emblem, the red hi-beam indicator on the dashboard was still an outline of the [old Indian head logo](http://www.universaldecals.com/DECALS/GMC/images/pontiac_emblem.jpg). With no features, just the (simplified) outline of a head with neck and the headdress, it mostly looked like a manufacturing accident. I always wondered why they couldn’t manage to make a nice round hole for the red light to shine through instead of that jagged thing. _One of these links is just like the other, Both of these links really belong …_ ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804/40 "2009-10-15T16:37:46Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > There is a logic to it, of the ‘game of telephone’ variety. > > Chesapeake and Ohio Canal -\> Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad -\> Chesapeake Systems (CSX) -\> Chessie Systems -\> Cheshire Cat -\> kitten logo > > (which was depicted on a boxcar in a movie with Julia Roberts, who played opposite Sean Connery, who costarred with Mel Gibson, who played the mentor to Kevin Bacon in…) 😉 Wasn’t there an actual kitten named Chessie? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visual-misinterpretations/513804.md?page=3)