I usually gripe about vague signs, but today I direct your attention to some oddly specific notices, such as this one:
I’m not hugely surprised that dogs are excluded, because an expanse of lawn (in this case, a soccer field) would be a nice place to let Fido off the leash. But would people actually take cats there? If so, I’d like to know how they get a leash on a cat without incurring stitches for the leasher and the leashed. And what’s with the pot bellied pigs? If I were an iguana or a llama, I’d feel left out by this sign. And if I had a pot-bellied pig, I’d never exclude the hyphen.
Another exclusion:
Do I have to point out that ice cream is, in fact, food? For some of us, it’s a major food group. Also, why single out ice cream? Was this store owner once traumatized by mint chocolate chip? Struck in the eye by a cone of rocky road? On a diet?
At least the comparison is logically correct in this sign:
I do wonder about the comma. Grammatically it’s not necessary (some would even say it’s wrong), because the conjunction or doesn’t connect two clauses. To me, the comma sounds a bit defensive: I’m not anti-pigeon! I’m anti-other birds too!
One more bird (sort of), courtesy of my friend Catherine:
So glad the label is clear! Now I know that I’ll have to shop elsewhere for outdoor chicken.
Gerry: Did you run out of screwy signs to photograph in NYC that you had to travel to Seattle?
My son and his family live there. Never fear about NYC: silly signs proliferate!
Why this particular type of pig breed is not allowed?
So if I come up with a Meshian, Gloucestershire Old Spots or even a Poland China pig would be ok?
Excellent questions! I don’t know the answers, but I have wondered about the same issues.