Funny Trip Photo Time!
This week’s Funny Trip Photo is from Indonesia.
During my recent month long trip there, and because I didn’t want to smell like a filthy backpacker who has recycled his underwear four times (that is front, back, inside out front, inside out back) I bought some Men’s Shower Gel so that I could smell half human after a humid day of travelling around one of the many fantastic places around Indonesia.
Check out this photo of Men’s Shower Gel.
I bought this brand of Men’s Shower Gel because it smelt pretty good. I didn’t notice the funny English translation on the bottom right hand corner until much later – that is, well after I had paid for it at the cash register at the supermarket!
My attention was somewhat grabbed when I spotted the ‘Perfumed Floral Woody’ lettering on the bottom right of the container.
Unfortunately, it’s just one of those things where translations go wrong, and the good intent of the translators often transforms into some sort of rude or funny slang in English.
An example of this is the Mitsubishi Pajero.
Obviously, I think the translation is meant to be something like if you use this Men’s Shower Gel, you will smell very nice like flowers, or something else that’s quite fresh and fragrant.
If you don’t know what Woody means in American English Slang, it basically means ‘erection’.
I don’t mean the type that involves the construction of houses or other buildings either.
I guess one could always transfer this Shower Gel into a this bizarre Nose Shower Gel Dispenser just to make it even more weird.
So there you go, there is a lesson in this weeks’ Funny Trip Photo. Lather up and take a shower!
You need an expert translator in slang, not someone who speaks proper English!
I can see how your floral fragrance could be misinterpreted. When I was in Japan for the World Expo a few years back. It was clear someone was messing with the whole country. All the menus at one generic fast food stand had all the “L”s and “R”s switched. So I ordered a Bulgel and flies.
.-= Devin´s last blog ..The Creative Writer’s Bill of Rights =-.
Any tips for me as I will be thinking about following through on a blog like this?
That’s the joys of travelling – finding stuff that doesn’t quite translate well into English!
maybe it did meant “erection” for the word woody in the phrase because the indonesian phrase ” Keharuman maskulin” means … “men scent” / “scent of men” / “masculine scent” LOL!!
Ha ha, that’s gold!
“If you don’t know what Woody means in American English Slang, it basically means ‘erection’.”
I use this shower gel actually.. Maybe some people use for “woody” LOL
Ha ha, I’ve used this stuff as well in Indonesia..