One of my greatest joys is when people make up words, use words that don’t really fit what they are saying or inadvertently use words that could very easily, and more likely, mean something else. I especially enjoy this when said semantic slips and vocab faux pas are made available for public consumption, and bonus points are given when any of this happens in, at or around church. Preachers can be the WORST at this, which I absolutely love. Oh the many times I have sat through sermons where the speaker would use a word that was either NOT an actual word or what he meant got lost in what he said.
In 2004, a friend of mine, knowing my penchant for said public displays of diction carnage, told me about a church in south Nashville they drove by which had a very questionable message on it’s marquee sign. When they told me what it said, I think I literally fell out of my chair laughing. I could not get back to my house, get my camera and drive to this church to see it for myself and capture a pic of the sign in all it’s unfortunate, double-entendre glory.
I drove 45 minutes each way to get this picture, but I didn’t care. It felt like Christmas and Jesus had given me the best present EVER! If you live in Nashville, it’s very likely you know exactly where this church is. God bless them… every one.
Of course I knew what they MEANT, but… flag on the play!!!!
So, if you’re looking for a take-away, of course there is a great life application here as well: I know what you MEAN, but what are you SAYING???
Another example is this one from when I lived in Dallas a few years ago. I lived near a Golden Corral restaurant that I would drive by many times a week on my way to my office. One morning as I drove by, I caught a glimpse of their marquee out of the corner of my eye and nearly had a wreck trying to turn around and go back to get a picture.
Sooo…. “remodelation” huh? Nice. I’m not entirely sure what that is, but from the looks of it, it’s going to take 7 of something, which I’m going to go out on a limb and assume are days.
What are some of your favorite word fouls?
