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David K. Israel
Manual transmissions of the feeblest kind
by David K. Israel - August 28, 2006 - 4:41 PM

Ever get frustrated with the grammar found in operating manuals that come with imported electronic gear?

Me shore does.

In fact, I generally find them about as frustrating as those pesky salespeople at Circuit City or Radio Shack, always trying to get you to buy their extended warranties for said gear. Well today I stumbled upon a site that commiserates by allowing you to post your more-often-than-not comical, grammatically incorrect finds for the whole blogosphere to read. It’s called ThisIsBroken.com, and last week they had a real lulu  – not for a piece of electronic equipment, but for a desk a reader named Chris bought at Target. Check this out:

Cautious: Please do not worry if still some smell from this fresh product when open it. As it is non-toxic and no dangerous while using. It will be gone in a few days after exposure in the air.

In Chris’s own words, “Not only was the English poorly translated, the desk smelled.”

warningsmell_1.jpg
Go check out thisisbroken.com for more, but here at mental_floss, we always love it when you share your grammar horror stories with us, too. So don’t forget to tell us first!

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Comments (4)

  1. A few months ago, my husband ordered an ultra-realistic BB gun from China which came with the following label: “ATTENTION: Don’t shooting at any human or animal. Not appropriate for children under 18 yrs.”

    I’m not sure which is worse, the “don’t shooting” or the idea that 17-year-olds are children.

    Or the fact that I just admitted, in public, that my husband bought an ultra-realistic BB assault rifle.

    posted by Mary on 8-28-2006 at 5:00 pm

  2. engrish.com has translations that are in the same vein as the manuals. Funny stuff.

    Mary – it also seems to imply that there are children ABOVE 18. Maybe your husband? (Sorry, cheap shot).

    posted by Shane on 8-28-2006 at 6:27 pm

  3. Thanks for the tip, Shane. Reminds me of the little-known fact that Ronald McDonald goes by the name Donald in Japan… for that very reason, I suppose.

    posted by David on 8-28-2006 at 6:32 pm

  4. Shane — my sweet husband is four years old at heart. He would take that as a compliment.

    posted by Mary on 8-29-2006 at 2:12 pm

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