Potential Stomp Ass Thread

February 24, 2003 8:03 AM

What's with that tacky ass name?A coffee shop which opened in a rather prominent area of the city in which I reside has started a little controversy here. Turns out the shop's name has created a fair amount of controversy elsewhere. How long until the f-word shows up in prominent signage across America? Meantime, what's the wildest or tackiest name for a business you've ever heard? Any ideas for potential businesses with "cuss" word-oriented names? Is there a possible trend in there somewhere?
posted by raysmj (90 comments total)

I've been to the Bad Ass coffee shop in Kona, Hawaii in 1998, and I have a much-beloved mug from there featuring their logo. I think it's slightly amusing but not truly naughty. Not a big deal, they've been around for awhile. I guess they're expanding now, though....
posted by beth at 8:11 AM on February 24, 2003

They clearly have never heard of Badass Jack's, a subs-and-wraps chain that has been operating since 1997 (and which more or less kept me alive during the last few months before my comps).
posted by mcwetboy at 8:12 AM on February 24, 2003

I wonder, frankly, why the owners have to play cute about the name, though. Why not just say, "We wanted to use the word 'ass' in the title, because we could and it's kinda funny?" It's like Hooters saying it's all about the owl. I would have absolutely no trouble with "Big Ass Coffee," by the way, because that would trump Starbucks. "Yes, they start with Tall, but we start with Big Ass and only get . . . Um, Bigger Ass."

Meantime, I'm thinking about opening a business called Pussy 'n' Coffee. It'll have a cat logo, and cats all over the shop, getting hair in your coffee and all over you sweaters, etc., and of course there will be waitresses who just happen to be unbelievably hot in cat classes and such. Anyone who whines about the sign's offensiveness will have the animal on the sign pointed out to them. They'll be told, "Look, it's all about the cat." Write if you're interested in an IPO.
posted by raysmj at 8:13 AM on February 24, 2003

can i get prozac if i prefer reading the "offbeat" section to the front-page obituaries?
posted by H. Roark at 8:19 AM on February 24, 2003

Ugh, no offense mcwetboy, but Badass Jack's wraps make me wretch. The one in Kingston only lasted about 6 months before folding.

Also in Ontario, there's a chain of restaurants called Jack Astor's, and the big neon sign outside flickers on and off to spell Jack Ass in 10 foot high glowing letters. Classy!
posted by krunk at 8:20 AM on February 24, 2003

This may sound strange, but I gauge "socially acceptible" language by watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon may not be writing much anymore, but the show still constantly (and joyfully) pushes the barriers (e.g. Willow the lesbian [bisexual?], Buffy and Spike's on-camera [although "tasteful"] sex [in the Bronze nightclub, no less!], etc).

I have noticed that "ass" has been very gratuitous and prominent on Buffy lately, and I know they'd throw a "F***" in there if they could. I've heard awkward alternative words on Buffy that were just dying to scream the "F-word" itself. (Anytime a writer censors the speech that would normally be "in character," believability and tone suffers.)

So, silly as it sounds, when Buffy says "F*** you, bloodsucking asshats!" then the "F-word" will finally have gone mainstream. (But there may be only one season left for this to happen.)

; )
(Not saying "F***" above took some effort for me, too.)
posted by Shane at 8:24 AM on February 24, 2003

Heh. In the ghetto here in town there is a convenience store called — yes, it took me a few times going by before I was sure my eyes weren't deceiving me — the G-Spot.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 8:30 AM on February 24, 2003

There used to be a discount store in Maidenhead called " 'King Cheap! "
It was a long time ago and at the time I was about 14, and didnt get it.
It was only a few years later a friend reminded me and I finally knew why my mother didnt like me mention its name infront of my gran. :)
posted by bhell13 at 8:43 AM on February 24, 2003

I don't find Bad Ass offensive - but it does sound, well, a little unappetizing.
posted by orange swan at 8:45 AM on February 24, 2003

Meantime, what's the wildest or tackiest name for a business you've ever heard?

I think FCUK is up there... pretty clever way to sorta be offensive but not.
posted by bobo123 at 8:46 AM on February 24, 2003

I think FCUK is up there... pretty clever way to sorta be offensive but not.

i was just about to mention them.
posted by donkeyschlong at 8:51 AM on February 24, 2003

Re: FCUK, I was at a rather nice brewpub a couple of weeks ago and saw a woman rather tackily dressed (even disregarding her shirt) who was wearing what I though was a FCUK shirt. Upon closer inspection, I noted that it just said "FUCK" all over it. I wasn't offended, but it did seem rather stupid.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:55 AM on February 24, 2003

I think that this place wins hands-down.
posted by MrBaliHai at 8:55 AM on February 24, 2003

There's a liquor store here called Big Man Package. I've also heard about one in Vail called Beaver Liquors.
posted by Frank Grimes at 8:58 AM on February 24, 2003

cool! this place started out right near my aunt's house in kona. a billion little specialty coffee shops have opened & folded around there, but this one seems to have flourished. the name is in questionable taste, but the tourists seem to like it.

recently, though, the flagship store has changed its name to the much lamer "surfin' ass", which makes me think that it's sold out to some large franchising company.
posted by lilikoi at 9:03 AM on February 24, 2003

There's an erotic boutique in Brookline, Mass. named Grand Opening. The owner is/was president of the town Chamber of Commerce, too...hee hee hee. In semi-related news, there's a gas station w/convenience mart on Route 2 in Concord with a big orange 70's-font sign out front: The Pump'n Pantry. ewwwwwwww.
posted by serafinapekkala at 9:05 AM on February 24, 2003

Boulder CO has a sub place called 'Half Fast Subs' ... n
posted by carter at 9:06 AM on February 24, 2003

Hit And Run Liquor Store
3400 S Claiborne Ave
New Orleans, LA
[phone]
posted by The Jesse Helms at 9:07 AM on February 24, 2003

We have a Beaver Brook golf club. And there are places all over advertising their "long dogs." Sheesh.
posted by TurkishGolds at 9:10 AM on February 24, 2003

Also in Wyoming I swear came across a gas station convenience store called the "Cum and Go." I tried looking for this on Google but just came up with pronny type sites.u
posted by carter at 9:11 AM on February 24, 2003

As Lisa Simpson said, "You'll never go broke appealing to the lowest common denominator."

I'm probably a hypocrite because I make poop jokes more often than I say "please," but I wouldn't patronize a store with "ass" in its name anywhere.

I have patronized this place, however. It's in Saugus, MA and the name dates from the more naive 1950s..
posted by Mayor Curley at 9:12 AM on February 24, 2003

Only in the Bible Belt would "Bad Ass" stir up this much controversy. Did they protest Hooters down there in Tuscaloosa, too?

I used to live not far from Chicago's "Boys' Town", where a prominent bar was named The Manhole. Can't get much less subtle than that.
posted by me3dia at 9:12 AM on February 24, 2003

In Cincinnati, Ohio one occasionally happens upon signs for "Big Bone Lick State Park." Not profanity per se, but definitely suggestive.
posted by boomchicka at 9:13 AM on February 24, 2003

Nope it's 'Kum and Go.' Still.
posted by carter at 9:14 AM on February 24, 2003

Sometimes it's unintentional
posted by sad_otter at 9:15 AM on February 24, 2003

There was a club around here called called "The Bucking Beaver" which has some kind of rodeo ride in it. I would link to the website for it but it sucks so you'll have to find it yourself. There used to be another one called "Big Melons" (guess the artwork) but I have no idea if it still exists.
posted by wobh at 9:15 AM on February 24, 2003

There is a interesting Chinese place called Hung Far Low. I had to walk past the place a few times before it really registered.
posted by elwoodwiles at 9:16 AM on February 24, 2003

In Beavercreek, Ohio, there's a bowling alley called Beaver Vu Bowl (naturally, pronounced "beaver-view").

It's all about the bowling beaver, of course.
posted by CrunchyFrog at 9:17 AM on February 24, 2003

There are some restaurants in North Carolina that are fairly anatomical:
Dirty Dick's Crab House

and yes, their slogan is "I got my crabs from Dirty Dicks!"

< / bad family vacation memories>
posted by tragedy_and_comedy at 9:24 AM on February 24, 2003

In Wichita, KS, there's a chain of pharmacies apparently owned by a family named Damm. And so the pharmacies are named Another Damm Pharmacy.
posted by katieinshoes at 9:29 AM on February 24, 2003

Dew Drop Inn and Lettuce Entertain You:
Onomastic Sobriquets in the Food and Beverage Industry
posted by snez at 9:33 AM on February 24, 2003

a classic ocean city restaurant.

if i wasnt vegetarian, i pursue my life-long dream of opening Big Rack's BBQ (to welcome the ladies, we'd serve pork loin too)
posted by danOstuporStar at 9:37 AM on February 24, 2003

me3dia: The opening of Hooters in Tuscaloosa made the news here, but from what I recall the people complaining were not fundamentalists or conservative iron-their-boxers types. They were, instead, co-eds concerned about what they saw as an exploitation of women.
posted by raysmj at 9:37 AM on February 24, 2003

There used to be a chain of grocery strores in San Francisco called Lick Super.

Semi-related: I've seen commercials for JAG refer to the cast as "JAG officers." Apparently this is common usage, though.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:45 AM on February 24, 2003

Cardiff used to have TWAT cafe. Which allegedly stood for "The Warm As Toast" Sadly no longer with us.

Is that offensive outside the UK?
posted by devon at 9:51 AM on February 24, 2003

What freaked me out more was this part:

The City Council in recent months has been trying to clean up Tuscaloosa's university image by banning late-night alcohol sales in bars and prohibiting the use of indoor furniture out of doors.

Snuh? Telling people how they're allowed to use their own furniture on their own property?
posted by Succa at 9:52 AM on February 24, 2003

Here in SW Florida we have a bait shop: Master Baiters and Tackle. I shit you not.

Also, there's a local restaurant with a 3M billboard on the interstate that has captions reading: "you clucked up! 3 miles back..." with a caption bubble and a chicken underneath it, for a restaurant. Thought it was amusing, and they probably went that route just to make people remember it. Good or bad, it might stick out in your mind ahead of all the other bland billboards.

There are worse words. And, as long as people have been calling their butts "asses", i'm sure people have been calling mules "asses".
posted by shadow45 at 10:07 AM on February 24, 2003

There's an erotic boutique in Brookline, Mass. named Grand Opening. The owner is/was president of the town Chamber of Commerce, too...

wasn't that a subplot on picket fences?
posted by donkeyschlong at 10:07 AM on February 24, 2003

They were, instead, co-eds concerned about what they saw as an exploitation of women.

I'd be one of those co-eds, my point was that the offended city councilman probably had no problem with Hooters, which I'd wager offends far more people. I assume the co-eds aren't too concerned about Bad Ass coffee, right?
posted by me3dia at 10:09 AM on February 24, 2003

Succa: there's a similar law in Boulder, but it only applies to some areas with high levels of student housing. Residents claim the law prevents students rioting and burning their furniture. Students claim that residents are just trying to protect their p roperty values. I suppose the reasoning is that having a couch on your porch makes the street look scruffy and 'lower class.'pr
posted by carter at 10:13 AM on February 24, 2003

"In 1995, Michael Bilanzich of Salt Lake City, Utah purchased Royal Aloha Coffee, Tea & Spice Company and the Bad Ass Coffee Company. We opened our first Bad Ass Coffee Company store in Salt Lake City..."

And people think we're all straitlaced here.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:14 AM on February 24, 2003

Coffee shop.
he's disturbed by any cuss words,
name of the shop refers to donkeys

been trying to clean up Tuscaloosa's university image by banning late-night alcohol sales in bars and prohibiting the use of indoor furniture out of doors.

Sounds like someone has their head up their rear with their priorities.
posted by thomcatspike at 10:15 AM on February 24, 2003

Everyone's favorite: Cheapass Games
posted by turbodog at 10:18 AM on February 24, 2003

A friend of mine described a visit to a strip club somwhere in northern Kentucky that was called the "Brass Ass" and had as its logo/mascot a metallic-looking donkey.
posted by deadcowdan at 10:20 AM on February 24, 2003

Whoa, it turns out there are two MeFites in Kingston. How's it going krunk?
posted by Pseudoephedrine at 10:21 AM on February 24, 2003

In England, there is a restaurant called "The Munch Box".

When my parents asked why I had a picture of myself standing in front of their sign, I said that I ate out there all the time. Both double entendres were completely lost on them (or on second thought, maybe they just didn't feel like joining in on their son's cunnilingus jokes?)
posted by Jaybo at 10:22 AM on February 24, 2003

A friend of mine actually wanted to start a bagel shop called Big Ass Bagels near the Eastern Michigan University campus in Ypsilanti. He and I brainstormed a lot of great advertising for that hypothetical place. Unfortunately he got rich doing home inspections and lost interest in the bagel shop.
posted by kindall at 10:23 AM on February 24, 2003

me3dia: Not from what I can tell, no. I noticed, over the weekend, at least a couple of coeds staring dreamily out the windows. That or they were just zoned out, one. It was a dreary Saturday. I could understand. (I highly, highly doubt anything will actually be done about the coffee shop's name, by the way.)
posted by raysmj at 10:24 AM on February 24, 2003

From SNL this weekend: "Colonel Angus!"

Probably the funniest skit I've seen on SNL since...quite a while. Best line: "If ole Colonel Angus wears out his welcome, well-uh, you just tap him on the head..."
posted by davidmsc at 10:29 AM on February 24, 2003

My sister used to work at a chicken place in NYC called "Pluck You"..
posted by jozxyqk at 10:40 AM on February 24, 2003

As an atheist, I find the "In God We Trust" mantra scribbled on all of United States currency completely obscene, pandering to an implied covenant of state-sponsored religion and a violation of my First Amendment right to religion. You don't hear me complaining about it, other than the silent reports that go off in my head.

But Bad Ass? I see nothing wrong with it. In a nation so hypocritical about its sexuality (i.e., Lorenzo Lamas asking "beautiful people" about breast size; shit, Mr. Has-Been Beefcake, why not just go all the way and show her tits on TV?), and so sanctimonious about the way it protects its people from "indecency," I say throw the innocuous woodwork into the pyre and celebrate the true cultural bloodline of America: a coarse, vulgar and altogether silly mainstream legacy that is too afraid to push the true limits of indecency.

Bad Ass Coffee? I can think of no other. Hell, I'm drinking some kick ass coffee (as opposed to "bad" or "bad ass," the latter often reserved for good emo-punk tunes) right now. I'm feeling like a vulgarian at the moment. And really on a Monday morning, there seems to be no better way to describe it.

But, personally, I'd rather patronize a place called Fuckin' Great Java.
posted by ed at 10:41 AM on February 24, 2003

There's a beauty parlor near my last place called "Sugar Tit."

Not obscene, but odd: Downtown there's a clothing store called "Sneep Dip!"

There's a chain of used book stores called "Book-Off!" and sister used-hardware stores called "Hard-Off!"

Can you guess where I live?
posted by chiheisen at 10:48 AM on February 24, 2003

"Snip Doggy Dog", a dog-grooming service in Oceanside, NY.
posted by skwm at 10:51 AM on February 24, 2003

Oh, and inadvertanly, the Vietnamese restaurant in Vancouver, BC: "Pho Bch Nga".
posted by skwm at 10:53 AM on February 24, 2003

A friend showed me pictures she took of "Big Dick's Halfway Inn" which she saw on a vacation. There was also a bar in Idaho Springs briefly with the same name.

RaysMJ: There is a strip club in Reno by the name "The Pink Pussycat" which of course features a pink cat in it's advertising.
posted by Eekacat at 11:06 AM on February 24, 2003

Mayor Curley, where in Saugus is Bunghole Liquors? There's one in Salem, too. They go back far enough that I'm going to guess the names were an earnest reference to the part of the the winecask where you put the cork, and the naughty meaning came later?

And bhell13, could I get a little help with "King Cheap"? I'm not getting that one at all, saying it out loud, etc.
posted by luser at 11:08 AM on February 24, 2003

I live in Tuscaloosa and let me tell you, our city council does have its head completely up its ass. The next item on the agenda is banning the parking of cars in yards.
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 11:23 AM on February 24, 2003

Also in San Francisco (Polk St): "Sukkers Likkers".
posted by lathrop at 11:27 AM on February 24, 2003

No one goes to Hooters for the wings.

Like the the O's are owl's eyes. mmmok.
posted by tomplus2 at 11:32 AM on February 24, 2003

Hey, I was reading my bible the other day, (as you do) and I found this passage very offensive.

Gen 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him

No to mention this one...

Num 22:32And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

Dirty Feckers.
posted by thedude256 at 11:38 AM on February 24, 2003

our city council does have its head completely up its ass. The next item on the agenda is banning the parking of cars in yards.

I bet if you asked the city council, really, why are you here, the answer will lie in your comment. Excuse me as I derail, reminds me of a law my mom use to quote me, if the trash cans are not off the curb by 3pm the day of trash-pick-up we will be fined. My response, well then, let me out of school earlier city council.

These laws are nuisance laws made by people that are a nuisance but feel a neighbor near by is acting in the same manner. But the city council member or one to be eats their cake in the end. GYOFC-Assblanket.
posted by thomcatspike at 11:51 AM on February 24, 2003

These laws are nuisance laws made by people that are a nuisance but feel a neighbor near by is acting in the same manner

I agree, I think the underlying problem is too much time on some peoples hands. I get home from work and such everynight and I am too worn out to pay attention to my neighbors garbage.
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 12:15 PM on February 24, 2003

further to the catering names:
I used to own a small moblie catering business called "The Doobie Burgers*"... on one occasion after a night serving drunken students in Oxford city centre I got a visit from the local law, asking if the name had anything to do with dope. I innocently stated that it was an homage to my favourite band... good job they didnt ask me to name any of their songs, tho'!

For Brits: the other contender for a name was 'The Nolan Sizzlers'...oh, you had to be there, I guess.
posted by dash_slot- at 12:28 PM on February 24, 2003

Asian restaurants are often good. There's one in Lewisville TX called China Wang Buffet, which is an image I'd rather not conjure up in my head.
Though to be fair, we mangle other languages to comical effect too -- my favorite is the sign that is supposed to have appeared in Phoenix SkyHarbor Airport in which they left off a tilde and so told their customers that if you want to drink in Arizona, you must have 21 anuses.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Fuddrucker's chain, so I will.

And on a cleaner note, my mom insisted that a retired Miami Dolphin should open up a chain of toy stores: Griese Kid Stuff.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:33 PM on February 24, 2003

Here in Tempe, AZ, we have the bar "The Dirty Beaver," and my favorite, in Dallas, an Oyster bar- "Mother Schuckers."
posted by Tunnel Hair at 12:35 PM on February 24, 2003

Also in Vancouver, B.C.: Fuk Hing's.
posted by jokeefe at 12:38 PM on February 24, 2003

Can someone please explain "King Cheap" to a poor befuddled yank? I've been saying it to myself again and again in all the comical awful British accents I can muster, but it never gets rude.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:46 PM on February 24, 2003

In Beeton, Ontario, the most hick town in Canada, there is a butcher shop called Beeton Meats.
posted by twos at 12:47 PM on February 24, 2003

Note the apostrophe in front of 'King Cheap
As in, f--king cheap
posted by c3o at 12:59 PM on February 24, 2003

I love tool companies, as they often have no choice but to illicit certain images. For example, Palm Abrasive has always made me laugh. What could I possible want to buy there? Then there are Rigid Tools. They make it too easy. A quick survey through the phone book leads to a few chuckles too. Like Snap On Tools (Yeah, I bet,) or The Tool Peddler (located on 82nd st, an area notorious for prostitution,) but my personal favorite (and former employer) has to be The Able Tool Company. I once answered the phone by saying "Able Tool Company, Our tools are ready and able." I got fired, but it was worth it.
posted by elwoodwiles at 1:14 PM on February 24, 2003

Palm Abrasive, makers of Rapid Tap.
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:24 PM on February 24, 2003

How bout Myrtle Beach's notorious biker bar Suck Bang Blow?
posted by SweetIceT at 1:28 PM on February 24, 2003

in Dallas, an Oyster bar- "Mother Schuckers

Thanks for reminded me, not sure why, the White Swallow club in Buena Park, Ca. This may sound naive on my part yet until I was told by a bouncer why she would not let me in did I get it.
posted by thomcatspike at 1:53 PM on February 24, 2003

Once on a road trip cross country, I chanced on an intriguing sign for the Eros Data Center in South Dakota. It wasn't til years later on the web that I ever found out exactly what it was. It's a rather interesting organization, but not nearly as interesting as it sounded.

OK, a tacky name for coffee is one thing, but some logos push the boundaries of good taste too. page seems to only be available on a wayback machine page, darn!
posted by madamjujujive at 1:54 PM on February 24, 2003

Luser, I stand corrected. It's in Salem. I don't get to the North Shore very often anymore.
posted by Mayor Curley at 1:57 PM on February 24, 2003

Don't forget Blow Off, makers of fine compressed air products, and also the manufacturers of such products as "Lube Job," "Stick It," and "Get Off."
posted by norm at 2:06 PM on February 24, 2003

chiheisen:

nihon ni sundeiru deshou ka? nihongo no ni nen gakusei dake desu kedo, Book-Off ga shitteimasu ^__^

That sort of odd English naming is kind of fun, but personally, I'm still waiting for America to do the same thing with Japanese. I figure the "nonsensical kanji" trend will eventually free itself from car decals and tattoos, and invade advertising in mainstream America.

Then, for every Japanese Book-Off and Sugar Tit, we can have one American Yume Kawaii Oyasumi Laundromat, or something. Cultural exchange is fun ^_^v
posted by vorfeed at 2:09 PM on February 24, 2003

A friend/co-worker of mine used to have a picture up in her office of the "Phuc-Mi" Thai restaurant. No idea if it was doctored/photoshopped or what. The was also a crane company in Wisconsin with the phrase "get it up" featured prominently on their bumper stickers. Can't for the life of me remember the slogan in its entirety or the name of the company. I guess their advertising didn't work on me.

And, in thedude256's Biblical vein, I have begun to refer to my flatulence as "smiting you with the jawbone of my ass."
posted by stet at 2:20 PM on February 24, 2003

the G-Spot

That's the name of a skate shop/clothing store in Sweden.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 2:44 PM on February 24, 2003

the G-Spot

That's also the name of a lesbian nightspot in San Francisco, which has the best slogan in the history of civilization: "If you can't find it, you can't come."
posted by kirkaracha at 3:21 PM on February 24, 2003

Surely those of you in the states have been to Fuddruckers?

I used to do educational tours with groups of middle school kids and they sure got a kick out of a little spiel my boss used to do about "Mother Fuddrucker's Brownies."
posted by jaronson at 9:50 PM on February 24, 2003

Marin County, California used to have an "Otafuku" restaurant. People would call and ask, "Is this 'oh, to fuck you?'"

Until very recently, there was a convenience store in San Gabriel, California called "Grab and Run Market". Not obscene, but probably not the best business model either. The Stuffed Sandwich restaurant has now moved into its location.

(Check out The Stuffed Sandwich. It's not advertised as such, it's all word-of-mouth, but the proprietors are beer collectors. At any given time there will be, I believe, 3.7 trillion beers available to choose from.)
posted by quarantine at 12:38 AM on February 25, 2003

I did what I could to see if anyone's posted this one yet. I didn't see it.

How about Beaver Liquors in Avon Colorado?
posted by crasspastor at 1:37 AM on February 25, 2003

Fellow Londoners will probably be aware of the Fried Chicken outlet "FKFC" near Old Street Roundabout, not to mention the recently closed-down haberdashers on Brick Lane - "Touching Cloth"
posted by Jofus at 2:38 AM on February 25, 2003

vorfeed,

Yep. Live just outside Tokyo.

I don't think it will catch on too much the other way around. Too much of an obession with English, coupled with the fact that it's way more prevalent, economically than Chinese or Spanish (which have similar widespread use.)

To be honest, I can't recall any silly kanji signs or anything in the US. Sometimes I see a company name on an overly-modified Honda, but that's about it.


Also just remembered a line of clothing that I've seen in Japan called "Bitch LA." Not sure if it's made it to any other countries...
Where did you see Yumei Kawaii laundry (or something like it)?
posted by chiheisen at 5:04 AM on February 25, 2003

There are at least a couple gas station/convenience store combos in Minneapolis called "Pump 'n' Munch." Mmm, mmm.
posted by gohlkus at 7:07 AM on February 25, 2003

Where did you see Yumei Kawaii laundry (or something like it)?

I haven't seen it, I just made it up as an example of what might appear someday ^__^

To be honest, I can't recall any silly kanji signs or anything in the US. Sometimes I see a company name on an overly-modified Honda, but that's about it.

Most of the silly kanji I have seen has also been on cars... there's some guy around here with a seemingly random collection of katakana, hiragana, and kanji on his rear window. I haven't been able to make out any meaning at all (unless maybe the katakana words aren't English or Japanese? French in katakana is annoying that way...) I'll have to look more closely if I see that car again.

There's also a bit of a trend towards kanji tattoos, and sometimes the results can be kind of silly, especially if people don't do their research -_-;;
posted by vorfeed at 12:53 PM on February 25, 2003

My absolute favorite sign that has a cuss word is right here in San Francisco. It's HUGE, too!

Go to the always cool Zeitgeist bar/hotel on the corner of Duboce & Valencia, and walk down a block, then turn around and look up at the yellow distressed sign on the top of the buliding. It says:

HOTEL [something]
FOOD   DRINK   SHIT-KICKIN' MUSIC

I forget the name of the hotel. It's partially obscured by a billboard in front of it, but you can still see it from certain angles (you used to be able to see it clearly from the Central Freeway, before the billboard went up). It's still there, as far as I know. From my expeience, there has been no action to take the sign down or paint over it. Classic!
posted by Down10 at 11:40 PM on February 25, 2003

Oh, and for an actual business name, there was a gay bar in SF called DICKS.

Yes, without an apostrophe. I'm pretty sure it was intentional.
posted by Down10 at 11:55 PM on February 25, 2003

Seems to me that Bad Ass Coffee's logo looks a whole lot like Bad Ass Cafe's logo. Wonder if there were trips to Dublin for the Bad Ass Coffee guys before they opened their shops (since the cafe predates the coffee shops by six years).
posted by aine42 at 12:48 PM on February 26, 2003