Lost in Translation

DC's system for naming its streets is distinctive. Streets running east-west take letter names (A, B, C, etc.) and streets running north...

These election posters (placed in spots were windows once were) encourage people to get out and vote in the 2008 elections. These were on th...

This exhibition at the National Building Museum has now come and gone, but this ad was so clever I thought I should add it to this blog. I l...

Today I noticed this character 豚 indicating the pork section at an Asian supermarket in Fairfax, VA. Although it features the "pig...

Signal flags adorning a ship mast at the US Navy Memorial (across from the National Archives), September 2010. The International Code of Si...

Just noticed today that the Library of Congress logo looks like a waving American flag, as well as an open book. Very cool. (For more on d...

Geeky swag from the 2010 National Book Festival. These materials are part of a promotional campaign to increase the profile of public librar...

The huge, tattered flag that inspired the lyrics of "The Star Spangled Banner" (the US National Anthem) is indeed a "star att...

A timely follow-up to yesterday's posting about flags: this sign for the "One Nation Working Together" March on DC. Today, Oc...

This city abounds with flags - and not just in government buildings. In front of Union Station you can see the flags of all 50 states in the...

Above, the distinctive flag of the District of Columbia. Its stars and stripes evoke the US (federal) flag, but most descriptions say the ...

Today I spotted this logo on a construction vehicle as workers were repaving part of the street. The logo bears the DC flag, and below a low...

Throughout Capitol Hill, one can find many signs gently reminding dog owners to clean up after their pets. Here's a treasury some of the...

Continuing my blog entries beyond DC, I include some things from another capital city: London. Welcome sign at Gatwick Airport. Unusual ch...

Various items from churches and museums in London. This sign for the Chinese Church in London features a nicely stylized form of the Chin...

More linguistically-interesting things I saw in Paris. A monument to peace within view of the Eiffel Tower. I can't tell how well the ...