Favourite Heng Long howlers?
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:14 pm
Yep, we all have our ups and downs, and I've had a dash of the latter lately with a busted ankle; but what better way to relieve the blues than with a spot of laughter to boost the old endorphins. For comic relief, I often turn to Pedro Carolino's legendary
'English as she is spoke' (1883), intended as a helpful portuguese-english phrase book travellers. Unfortunately for Carolino, but luckily for us, Caroline couldn't speak a word of English, but could get by in French. Thus, the phrase book was based upon a french-english dictionary. The book caused a sensation in victorian Britain and America, sending peals of laughter around the globe (Mark Twain was a big fan) with such useful phrases as: (At the Barber's) "Are you cutting them hairs"; or, (at the stables).."This horse is um pursy, he is a jade!" Then, for general heated discussions he offers: "He burns ones selfs the brains", and "He has me take out my hairs!". For a walk we have' "Do you hear the birds gurgling?"More little treasures await
But now we have the delights of Heng Long instruction manuals to fall back on.. The experienced 'old contemptibles' on this site probably probably don't read them, but they're missing out on such rib-ticklers as- for a chuckle:
"Stick the mark to you need the position, then pressing down the paster" (fitting decals). For a titter, we have (when topping up the smoke oil): 'Take out protect lid- the hole of adding''. I love the 'hole of adding'. Then we can go for a full guffaw with:
"DIY installation components if the hole is too loose parts split second binding your own, if a narrow hole parts dealing with your own tools.." (almost from a bizarre sex manual).
That said, the illustrations are good, and the latest models a vast improvement, so it's no time to be uncharitable. Some of the Clark TK22 instructions are borderline howlers too..
'English as she is spoke' (1883), intended as a helpful portuguese-english phrase book travellers. Unfortunately for Carolino, but luckily for us, Caroline couldn't speak a word of English, but could get by in French. Thus, the phrase book was based upon a french-english dictionary. The book caused a sensation in victorian Britain and America, sending peals of laughter around the globe (Mark Twain was a big fan) with such useful phrases as: (At the Barber's) "Are you cutting them hairs"; or, (at the stables).."This horse is um pursy, he is a jade!" Then, for general heated discussions he offers: "He burns ones selfs the brains", and "He has me take out my hairs!". For a walk we have' "Do you hear the birds gurgling?"More little treasures await
But now we have the delights of Heng Long instruction manuals to fall back on.. The experienced 'old contemptibles' on this site probably probably don't read them, but they're missing out on such rib-ticklers as- for a chuckle:
"Stick the mark to you need the position, then pressing down the paster" (fitting decals). For a titter, we have (when topping up the smoke oil): 'Take out protect lid- the hole of adding''. I love the 'hole of adding'. Then we can go for a full guffaw with:
"DIY installation components if the hole is too loose parts split second binding your own, if a narrow hole parts dealing with your own tools.." (almost from a bizarre sex manual).
That said, the illustrations are good, and the latest models a vast improvement, so it's no time to be uncharitable. Some of the Clark TK22 instructions are borderline howlers too..
