When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Hunter S. Thompson

13 December 2008

Unfortunately, it has now transpired that this text contains inappropriate content of a suggestive nature

Chinese-savvy subscribers of the German-language Max Planck Research got a unexpected treat when the magazine featured a cover punting "hot, young housewives" in an ad for a Hong Kong strip club.

The publication apparently believed the text "depicted classical Chinese characters in a non-controversial context" but, as Oz's The Age explains, it was quickly fingered by Chinese net users as "similar to wall posters found in the red light district of Mongkok in Hong Kong".

Specifically, it more or less says*: "We spend a lot of money to have [girls] to be in house during daytime. Our mama sans, Ga Mei and KK**, present you with young and beautiful girls. Stylish and good mannered beauties from the North [of China]. Sexy and hot, young housewives. Flirty and enchanting, available today."

Max Planck Institute punts "hot, young housewives" (The Register - 11 Dec 2008)

The translation of the characters in Australia's The Age comes out a good bit coarser than that.

(via James Fallows)

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