BS: Inappropriate company names

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 10:38 PM

Coming home last night, I saw a sign on a shop:

PARIS PEARL         INTERNATIONAL EYEBROW SHAPING CHAMPION

They have competitions for that?

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Melani
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 10:20 PM

Phuket Thai restaurant in San Francisco is always a big favorite, though I'm told it IS pronounced differently.

But the absolutely all-time best is still the First Unitarian Church of Kensington, which for obvious reasons changed its name to the First Unitarian Church of Berkeley, the fact that it is actually located in Kensington notwithstanding.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Desdemona
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 06:49 PM

I once stayed in a motel where my car was parked next to a panel truck sporting the legend "Acme Erectors: Our Erections Are Hard To Beat"!

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 06:33 PM

My village policemen were PC Crook and PC Pinches...

Really!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Grab
Date: 27 Nov 06 - 06:25 PM

Can't believe I forgot the surprisingly successful British electronic equipment manufacturer, "Wayne Kerr".

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: GUEST,John Gray in Oz
Date: 26 Nov 06 - 11:48 AM

A company I deal with in Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory, is called ;
Territory.
Instrument.
Testing.
Services.

JG/FME

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Anne Lister
Date: 26 Nov 06 - 07:49 AM

Of course language vagaries help ... I remember a self-service shop dealing in Kickers in Lyon, France (where I was living at the time) which had a big neon sign that read "Kick Self" ...on the same street as a self-service restaurant that advertised "Grill Self".

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Grab
Date: 26 Nov 06 - 05:51 AM

A friend had a very scary lecturer at uni. His name, appropriately, was Dr Fear.

One that kept us amused for a while on a school trip was noticing an electrical appliance shop in Austria called "Electrodick".

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Nov 06 - 04:19 AM

A litle takeaway shop - like a chippie but sold a wider range of quick foods, a bit like a cross with a deli -

The Taik Hawaii

(try the Aussie nasal accent)...

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 08:22 PM

An inadvertent name... The Swifton Shopping Center in Cincinnati Ohio was the first shopping mall I ever saw. It had a supermarket (the first one in town) and even a couple of outdoor kiddie rides, like helicopters, that you could ride for a dime. Quite a lively place! After a few years, some neglect started to manifest itself. The big neon sign began to say

Swifto hopping Center

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: s&r
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:57 PM

"Gay Photographic Supplies" predated the current usage of the word. They changed it because the phone calls became more and more off topic

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Deckman
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:42 PM

This is a TRUE story. I couldn't make it up ... though I wished I had.

About ten years ago, in Everett, Washington (USA) they started building a large multi-story building across from my bank. For several weeks, we all wondered what they were "UP" to. Finally, came the very large sign: "This Building Is Being Built By The ERECTION COMPANY! WE GET IT UP FOR YOU!"

The day that sign went up, all the tellers in my bank were chortleing over it, and pointing it out to a few customers.

True story! It made the papers (mostly letters to the editor) and local TV. It turns out that this Bellevue based company get's lot's of mileage with that slogan. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Anne Lister
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:22 PM

On good names for chippies .. my all time favourite is "A Fish Called Rhondda", up in the Rhondda valleys (Treorchy, I think), although the Codfather comes a good second.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:03 PM

'Chippies' used to sell mainly fish and chips - but gradually also other (non-chain) fast food takeaways. They are always independently owned small outlets.

"Charley Noble"

ROFL...


There was a diving supplies shop called "Come Diving"

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: John O'L
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:02 PM

My sister-in-law ran a home-delivery curry business for a while, called "Curries On The Trot".

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bizibod
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 05:52 PM

Battered in Greece ! Uproarious laughter! A most satisfactory explanation ! Thanks for that.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: frogprince
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 05:02 PM

Again, not exactly a company name, but in 1964, in the mess hall at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland, we put big "bladders" of milk, in cardboard cartons, in dispensers for the troops. The boxes were labled "HOMO VD, SKAGSVILLE, MD."

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bert
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 04:48 PM

"battered in Greece" LOL, good one. Though they did plenty of battering themselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 03:24 PM

Haha ! Bizibod. Somebody noticed. The answer is that they were "battered in Greece"

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: robomatic
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 03:12 PM

In my business there's a common expression from shortening the term: "power generation" to powergen. Apparently there was (briefly) a web site called: powergen.italia

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 02:13 PM

Drving through Joplin Missouri, you can see a laerge industrial building with 20 foot high illuminated red letters saying FAG. I don't know what the product is, but I can imagine the poor rep sitting in some company lobby while the receptionist tells the owner "the FAG guy is here to see you."

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 01:15 PM

Dr. Twocock, chiropractor. Hardi saw it in Canadia.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 01:13 PM

There's a chain of Turkish shops selling fridges, air-con, etc, called 'Arcelik'. (Celik means steel, I believe.) The French drink lemonade called 'Pschitt'.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 12:08 PM

There was a Dr. Boozer in West Allis, Wisconsin (west 'burb of Milwaukee) back in the '60s. He was a dentist. I think I still have his business card around somewhere.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bizibod
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:52 AM

Hey ,fat B*****d,there's a "300 Spartans "chippy in Loughborough, Leicestershire ,too.
For several years I read it always as Zoo Spartans on account of the fancy writing. Seemed to make just as much sense either way....Still have absolutely no idea why a chippy should be so called, am I missing something obvious ?

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:48 AM

Here in Maine my favorites include:

Dr. Kneebone - Chiropractor

Crocker & Worry - Attorneys

Blow Brothers - Portable Toilets (of course!)

Roll & Go - Sea Music Group (but Chinese Take-Out place in Lansing, Michigan)

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:27 AM

Bit of a stretch of the imagination but seeing as I have plenty...

Local company called R Swain. Often wondered if it the opposite of R Swax. Takes mooning to a (w)hole new level:-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:17 AM

Hah! No urban myth - Bols-Fockink Dry Gin really exists! I got the spelling slightly wrong...

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Midchuck
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:14 AM

The two local chippies are 'A fine Kettle of Fish' and 'The Frying Scotsman'

I think we've discovered another word that has distinctly different meanings in the US and Britain.

I assume that in Britain it means a take-out food place...

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Alice
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:09 AM

Gas station/convenience store chain in this region is now called Kum & Go.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:49 AM

There's a Asian firm of builders in Bolton, Lancs, and their van proudly proclaims 'You've had the cowboys, now try the Indians!'. Sadly, I don't yet have a photo - but I'm working on it!

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:46 AM

The company who looks after the tyres on the firm's vehicles have this sign on the side of their van:

Taffy's
Wheel
And
Tyre
Specialists

I can send you a photo if you PM your email address to me!

I seem to remember the Dutch Bols liqueur company (based in Amsterdam) was taken over by another company called 'Fokking' - they nearly made a big mistake in the UK until someone pointed out the problem! Or is that an Urban Myth?

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: *Laura*
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:35 AM

When I had some dental work done once the dentists involved were called Ms Aatack and Dr Skinner!!

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Flash Company
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:31 AM

The Eye surgeon who treated Mum's cataracts was Dr Moriarty.
My favourite though, was a company on our local trading estate called The Europe and Africa Trading Company. Don't know who their advisers were, but , in an effort to shorten the name, they changed it to 'Eurafric'
Once heard their receptionist on the bus saying, 'Can you imagine what it's like answering the switchboard?'
Oh, an afterthought! The two local chippies are 'A fine Kettle of Fish' and 'The Frying Scotsman'

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 08:57 AM

Then there's the 'Dorset Snap-on Tools' company.... didn't know they snapped off!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 07:40 AM

Click on this link and scroll down to see picture of a company van

http://www.thatsweird.net/picture12.shtml

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 07:36 AM

R. Sole, 6662 Delmar Boulevard, Suite A, 314-721-7653: This is a unique sneaker boutique for those who must have the latest and greatest.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: GUEST,Partridge
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 07:26 AM

We have a funeral director in dewsbury called Eric Box Ltd.
I also heard of a very posh hair dressers called "Air Hair Layer"
(say it out loud a few times)

Pat x

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 07:20 AM

I have it on good authority that somewhere in Scotland there is a chip shop called "300 Spartans".

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Mooh
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 07:10 AM

For a short while in Wiarton Ontario there was a shop called Lumpy's Donuts. Yeah, that's what they'll do to you!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:57 AM

We have the 'Athlete's Foot' chain in Australia too.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:55 AM

"Dr. Bonebraker!"

Brisbane is named after Lord Brisbane - the original family name was Briesebane - he was a Norman who came over with William and had that nickname because he fought with a mace.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 06:51 AM

Estate Agents long changed their name
German & Dutch

& the haulage companies
on the rear of the truck "C Butt" (and it needs wiping)
a company from the Village of Old in Northants - "Knights of Old"

I am told there is a chewing gum in Turkey rejoicing in the name of Spank Balls.

And Stook Hill estate agents had a promotion 20 years ago for kiddies to design clothes for Mr Stook Hill (a cartoon frog) which wasn't but should have been given the phrase "Dress Stook Hill"

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 05:54 AM

In Copenhagen, a shop selling trainers and such running gear, 'Athlete's Foot'

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Kaleea
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 01:18 AM

Bonebraker Chiropractic

In Wichita, Kansas there was a chiropractor named Dr. Bonebraker!

No, I'm not making it up.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 12:34 AM

There's a legal firm called Trikham just down the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 12:21 AM

There's a Dr Lazarus near us... often wondered if he was as good as his name, my first ever doctor was a Dr Payne but the best was a former dentist in Weymouth, Dorset - He was Ian Savage.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: Chip2447
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 12:17 AM

our local phone book just arrived, with an advertisment on th spine of the book; I think I'll try any other law firm in the state (Mo)rather than this one..."Murphy Law firm" somehow it doesn't inspire much confidence in a smooth outcome.

There is a Local Car dealer by the name of Richard Head. Stereotypes aside, he is really a Dick Head.

You can find "eat here and get gas" signs all over the state.

Several years ago a local sporting goods store had as it's motto, "Liquor, guns and ammo" The motto was used for many years on signs, print and and recorded advertising, and yes,some numbskull tried to rob the place with a knife.

CHip2447

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: coldjam
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 12:17 AM

We have a Dr. Looney nearby...never been to him...

Subject: RE: BS: Inappropriate company names
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 11:58 PM

There is a real one in Sydney - or there was the last time I looked. It's a hairdressing salon at Castlecove with that name "Curl Up And Dye"

Here are a few more.