Well, yeah, Captain Obvious!! D'oh!

Been working a thousand kilometers from home on a job just one step offa scrapping--pulling parts from a big sawmill to ship to Chile. So, the mind wanders a little in the off hours because of boredom and the like....I find I start reading everything, like newspapers, cover to cover.

Well, there's a little coffee place in town that has real decent coffee and grits, so I slip over there quite a bit. But they don't have newspapers so I eventually even read the heat sleeve on the paper coffee cup.



Here's what it sez...in three languages:

Still scratching my head on whether it was done in jest or dead serious. Does anyone out there know if the French or German phrases are correct or is someone playing with my head? Whats an "oolala"? And we all know "knakkers".

If the G-D coffee is scalding hot, shouldn't it say "avoid pouring it down your neck?". Or, "avoid stepping in the cup"?

Aaah, I'm thinking way too much!!

Gotta get home for a couple of days!!

Jon.

Originally Posted by sawmilleng

Been working a thousand kilometers from home on a job just one step offa scrapping--pulling parts from a big sawmill to ship to Chile. So, the mind wanders a little in the off hours because of boredom and the like....I find I start reading everything, like newspapers, cover to cover.

Well, there's a little coffee place in town that has real decent coffee and grits, so I slip over there quite a bit. But they don't have newspapers so I eventually even read the heat sleeve on the paper coffee cup.

Here's what it sez...in three languages:

Still scratching my head on whether it was done in jest or dead serious. Does anyone out there know if the French or German phrases are correct or is someone playing with my head? Whats an "oolala"? And we all know "knakkers".

If the G-D coffee is scalding hot, shouldn't it say "avoid pouring it down your neck?". Or, "avoid stepping in the cup"?

Aaah, I'm thinking way too much!!

Gotta get home for a couple of days!!

Jon.

Funny, but no, neither is a proper or serious translation.

In the early 80's I worked at a hardware store that sold wood stoves. They had "caution hot when in use" cast in the top of them. If it was not hot when I was using it I would not buy it!

Yes the "foreign language" phrases are meant to be read as is not translated. You get the meaning if you just read them out loud as if they were English. Sledge has got it, the whole thing is done in jest over the ridiculousness of needing to put such warnings on things. Pretty funny actually, I like that place already.

Sadly, some of us need those warnings and don't even heed them when there. I was trying to fill a cotton picker with water when my gas engine pump ran out of gas. After I refilled it, it wouldn't start immediately. I was getting tired and braced for another pull by putting my hand on the engine. Bad decision and I had the word TOH seared into my palm for about a week!! So much for reading the warnings, but I didn't sue the company, just facepalmed myself.....and winced from the pain.

A certain 3 span iron bridge over the Niobrara River in Nebraska collapsed a few years ago and when the local Centennial Book was produced, it included a picture of the bridge as it had appeared when in use with a caption that read......"Here's a picture of the Niobrara River bridge before it collapsed". I thought that was quite obvious that it was still standing at the time the picture was taken without the brief explanation. Duh....yeah !!

Yup, I guess I'm far too serious...After a little reflection it becomes obvious that the French and German are just in jest!!

Jon. getting homesick.

Well Jon I know what you mean about being homesick. I'm about 1900 miles from home and my family. Thank goodness it's for only a week.
I was thinking about getting some coffee but after reading this thread I believe I'll pass.

Jimi,

The coffee is good...just don't pour it on sensitive areas!!

Jon.