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advert which have opposite meanings t the one one intendeds

(67 Posts)
goose1964 Thu 25-Jun-15 19:11:44

has anyone else noticed that a number of charity adverts are appealing "for" not on "behalf of", so we have ones appealing for children who are in war zones etc - not many of those around here or I'd give them one,

Teacher11 Mon 11-Jan-16 10:32:41

'Family Butcher' is a favourite. Bit harsh what!

I also cannot get my head round the pronunciation of 'Britta' as in the Britta water filter. A long 'i' would have it pronounced 'Brighter Filter' which makes perfect sense for the product. To have it pronounced as rhyming with 'fitter' makes no sense at all.

Mamie Mon 11-Jan-16 10:38:31

The French one that makes me laugh is "trous en formation". I picture a sort of formation dancing team for holes.

Elegran Mon 11-Jan-16 10:56:49

Not opposite meanings, but I have seen a very small unofficial sign, in a tiny font, fixed near the foot of a toilet door opposite the loo. It said "If you can read this, you are now leaning down at an angle of exactly 47 degrees"

DH informed me that there was one above the urinals in the gents, which read "The future of Scotland is in your hands"

rockgran Mon 11-Jan-16 11:44:27

How about these:-

"Keep away from children." Wise advice.
and "Keep cool." I do try.

MaizieD Mon 11-Jan-16 12:29:31

I always raise an eyebrow at the request for 'Expiration date' when giving details of my debit card for on-line purchases. 'Expiration' being the opposite of 'inhalation' I wonder if I am expected to hold my breath until 2017...

(what happened to 'expiry'?)

Tizliz Mon 11-Jan-16 12:55:49

this is my favourite sign

Jane10 Mon 11-Jan-16 12:59:10

grin Brilliant!

Daisyanswerdo Mon 11-Jan-16 13:46:33

Teacher11, I do agree about Brita - I've been thinking that for years. Also, Arriva trains, which apparently is pronounced Arreeva! Very odd.

And 'Family Butcher' is another of my favourites.

'Use xxxx shampoo for dull, lifeless hair'.

'Use xxxx shampoo for shiny, healthy hair'.

granjura Mon 11-Jan-16 14:33:11

Mamie, funny but for me 'trou en formation' takes another meaning (as a native French speaker) 'en formation' means 'in training' ... so I always think they are learning how to be better and bigger holes (bigger they do become...).

I love the French 'proverb' seen by railway crossings : un train peut en cacher un autre' - one train can hide another (eg don't think it is safe to cross because one train has passed, another may be right behind) - it could apply to so many things, jobs, boyfriends, etc.

For me, as said before, 'puke' was a new word - and Pukka just seemed like that word with a (French) past tense ending. I know now that the 2 'ks' give it a different meaning, but not at the time, as a freshly arrived immigrant in the UK.

tiggypiro Mon 11-Jan-16 15:13:07

Mobile grass cutter ahead - I'm still looking for an immobile one.

LullyDully Mon 11-Jan-16 16:23:11

I always liked....Danger. children . Image of them waiting in ambush with water bombs.

I also liked Slow.....children . But I did teach in a special school. ( sorry for any offence. )

Wheniwasyourage Mon 11-Jan-16 19:11:19

What about "Helping you to spend a little less every day"? (Not sure if that's an exact quote, but you know which one I mean, I'm sure.) No you aren't - if I'm buying something in your shop I am spending more money than if I stay outside with my purse in my pocket!

Granarchist Mon 11-Jan-16 21:59:12

when asked for my expiry date I always say I dont have a clue but I can give them the expiry date of my debit card. Few get it.

MaizieD Mon 11-Jan-16 23:13:06

grin @Granachist

granjura Tue 12-Jan-16 10:35:40

LOL. Once in Tuscany with sil and bil, by Lake Trasimeno- we had a picnic and some Italian business students were revising for exams. One of them cam over and asked 'may I ask you a question please- what does 'past the shelf life' mean'. We all laughed and said, just look at us, there is your answer (then explained) - we all had a good giggle.

vintage1950 Thu 11-Feb-16 17:38:55

A local gym, now defunct, had the slogan 'Fit For Less'.