Things that make you go "Hmmmm…"

[NBtarheel_33]

Originally Posted by Chuck

When I was working for the US Government in the 1980s as a Computer Systems Programmer, next door to our building was DODCI, the Department of Defense Computer Institute. They had placed an order for a large number of binders (three-ring notebooks) for their students. Emblazoned on the front of the binders was
Department
Of
Defense
Compter
Institute

We found them in the dumpster with the front covers cut off the binders, probably in hopes that no one would notice the misspelling of computer.

Nowadays, they'd use them anyway. I often point out glaring misspellings to businesses and organizations (e.g. a huge sign for "billards", a Midas offering "alingments", and a board at a community clinic declaring that "the docter is in!"). In recent years, the answer I have gotten is that everyone is so busy/moving so fast/etc. that these kinds of errors simply don't get noticed. I'm sorry, but if you have a huge 50+ square foot sign printed in two-foot-tall lettering, "those kinds of errors" stick out like a pimple on prom night. One excuse I have heard, incredibly, is that some of these misspellings are "on purpose" to attract the public's attention. Advertising through patent ignorance and stupidity, in other words.

The craziest (and sadly, multi-thousand-dollar) error that I have ever come across was at a stone engraver's shop in Maine. He had engraved a beautiful imported marble bench for a family and it was all ready to be installed at the cemetery. The engraver was proud as punch. Until I informed him that Ruth probably didn't go by "RTUH" very often, nor is the fall season known as "AUTUMA". Once you've chiseled your mistakes into stone, there's no going back. He was thankful I pointed it out to him, but not so happy about having to procure another 5-ton block of marble from Italy.

One thing I don't understand about the binders - another example of government waste (another story for another time) - is why they didn't simply remove and replace the misspelled cover pages from the plastic sheaths on the fronts of the binders. I have many three-ringed binders that I have repurposed over the years by doing just that. No need to cut the whole cover off and throw them away.

[Batalov]

Originally Posted by NBtarheel_33

... One excuse I have heard, incredibly, is that some of these misspellings are "on purpose" to attract the public's attention.

That and sex will get public's attention for sure.

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by NBtarheel_33

As a roadgeek aware of the many questionable practices behind Caltrans signage (not the least of which being their curmudgeonly attitude toward mile markers and exit numbers (which appear in each of the other 49 states)),

A real roadgeek would know that California was exempted from the federal law that required numbered exits.
http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jan/16/local/me-22909

The Federal Highway Administration has required such a numbering system for all states since the late 1950s. But at that time, California had already built an extensive freeway system and thus was exempt from the federal guidelines.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by NBtarheel_33

One thing I don't understand about the binders - another example of government waste (another story for another time) - is why they didn't simply remove and replace the misspelled cover pages from the plastic sheaths on the fronts of the binders. I have many three-ringed binders that I have repurposed over the years by doing just that. No need to cut the whole cover off and throw them away.

The lettering was printed directly on the plastic front covers.

Some of us enterprising young federal employees climbed in the dumpster in the alley and took out some binders as souvenirs. That afternoon a directive came out from the front office that no one was to take anything out of the dumpster.

[Xyzzy]

http://buffalobillgates.tumblr.com/

[Xyzzy]

http://i.imgur.com/Dn4YNJ1.gif

[kladner]

@Xyzzy: Wow and Wow!

The kitty is just too precious!

Mickey Maozedon echoes a Kliban Cat comic. I tried to track it down, but didn't find it. In it, there are two cats in Red Army jackets. One says, "Mao", while the other looks at a hole in the wall with little black things scattered around, and says "Mousy Dung."

[xilman]

Brazil Olympics: Super-bacteria found in Rio sea waters

Lots of things there that you can drink,
But stay away from the kitchen sink.
The breakfast garbage that you throw in to the Bay,
They drink at lunch in San Jose.

So go to the city, see the crazy people there.
Like lambs to the slaughter,
They're drinking the water
And breathing the air.

[pinhodecarlos]

I lived for one year in Rio de Janeiro near Guanabara Bay (100 m), I can assure it is a lot polluted, the water is green. If you preserve your health and safety don't go to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics. Or you gonna be ill or mugged or murdered. Please do not go there.

[Xyzzy]

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central...ck-keyless-car

[petrw1]

Originally Posted by NBtarheel_33

I often point out glaring misspellings to businesses and organizations

Some years back our local lumber store had the sign "Renovations in progress. Please bare with us"