Lost in Translation

Heads up residents of Lyon, someone is messing with you:

Now, this could just be some translation misunderstanding or local insider joke that I don’t get but I think we Anglophones can agree that “TP” is usually short for toilet paper. And as much as toilet paper is both likeable and necessary for daily living, I am not sure many people would go so far as say they LOVE IT or make actual posters/stickers that say they do. 

But then again, maybe it’s just lost in translation. Like when I was the only English-mother tongue person in a medium-sized French office (which shall remain nameless to avoid embarrassment – theirs, not mine) in Paris. Early after I arrived, a meeting was held to talk about a recent conference that several staff had attended.

Here is a shortened translation (from French to English) of the meeting:

“So, overall, how did it go?”

“Quite good. The B.O. present in the room was strong.”

“Great! Let’s move forward quickly. Sarah, could you check the B.O. identified and see if our messages are adapted to it?”

“Ummm, sorry?”

“What is the problem?”

“Can you tell me what B.O. is, in your opinion?”

“Well, it’s Business Opportunity(ies), obviously.”

“Well, actually sir, it is not obvious because in English, B.O. is short for Body Odor.”

Silence.

“Oh, that would explain why my contact in England said ‘send it over but be sure to put a stick of deodorant in the package'. I get it now.”

So back to this poster/sticker found on the side of an electric box down the street from our apartment. Maybe it is.... ? Or ....? Nope, I got nothin for this one. It's just odd.