Maybe you don’t buy many products that are made overseas so you don’t know the delights of “English as a second language” labeling.  But for me, I love reading them to see what unintentional humor crops up.  It’s like watching Jay Leno’s “Headlines,” but without having to stay up so late.

For instance, I received a Hello Kitty travel mug recently for my birthday, and this was on the warning label:  “WARNING!  After filling hot liquid into the mug, please avoid to cover the lid immediately and avoid to shake the mug in order to prevent hot liquid spitting out via the drink hole.”  The other side of the label, providing tips for use, was written better, although it had the same silly warnings that so many products seem to need these days (“Do not microwave . . . do not carry mug into bag when its filled with liquid . . . Always check to make sure your lid is secured before drinking . . . “).

There’s a site where you can read all kinds of “English as a second language” labels, signs, menus, writing on clothing, etc., that people submit.  It is always fun, and I often find things that made me laugh harder than I had in a week or so.  It’s Engrish.com.  Here are some examples – enjoy!

God-Jesus robot toy sold in Japan in the 1980s.  The toy gave a yes or no answer to any of your questions!  So, while Jesus isn’t given a bad name, it seems like our God is viewed as some kind of psychic talisman . . .