City of deaming spires. Birthplace of Stephen Hawking, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P.D. James. Creator of the most celebrated dictionary of the historical development of the English language. And home to almost 200 pubs. Not to mention that comma.
But one of the things I most love about Oxford—where I’ve been staying the past three weeks—is its wealth of whimsical signs.
They’re everywhere: on doors, curbs, fences, railings, posted in streets, and tacked up on cork notice boards at the entrances to colleges.
Of course there’s the classic “Mind the step” sign:
And the ubiquitous warnings not to chain your bicycle to any given fence or railing (there are thousands of bikes all over the town):
The street signs can be rather amusing, as well:
And although the British love their dogs, they can also be very strict about them:
They can be strict about other things as well:
And plaques on buildings noting important events that occurred there can be quite amusing:
But my favorite signs are the individual ones, often hand-crafted for a very specific purpose.
Readers: Do you have a favorite sign in your town, or one you’ve seen during your travels?
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s formation in 2017, Ottawa (and Toronto) created giant town signs. The OTTAWA sign is located in the historic ByWard Market where I live. Visitors take photos (or selfie) in front of the Ottawa sign every day.
Here is a link:
https://heritagedowntowns.com/the-ottawa-sign/
(Grace, in case WP posts this as anon)
Also, there was this weird sign found in Centretown (downtown) Ottawa. No twerking, maybe?
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/no-twerking-rogue-sign-at-ottawa-park-sparks-debate-on-social-media-1.6561138
Grace, that’s hysterical! It kind of looks like… no warming up to go jogging?
That is so weird–what the heck?
I’ve always loved the British “Mind the gap.”
There is a church in town that rotates messages on their outdoor board. Some of them are pretty cute.
I always wonder if those are real!
My church does that, too.
I always love it when churches do that.
Growing up in southern Rhode Island, I laughed every time I saw a sign as you drove across a causeway to a very tiny island: “Island, No Exit.” Evidently, a one-way trip.
LOL!
Ha! Love it!
Found at the end of a long driveway near me: Do not read this sign.
Ha!
Ha!
I love the sign about books being alarmed! L.A. doesn’t have interesting signs – mostly about parking restrictions that are impossible to figure out. But I always loved this NY sign: “Don’t even think of parking here.” It was a city sign – and so Noo Yawk!
I always have to triple-check those parking signs!
I know–me too!
Yes, that is so NY–love it!
Ha, I was going to mention this one!
In Singapore, I thought the “No studying” sign in the airport was hilarious! 🙂
What????
Those are pretty fun. I’m blanking on any fun signs I’ve seen at the moment.
Not many in our SoCal neck of the woods. If any!
I also got a chuckle at those poor alarmed books!
I can’t think of any real world signs, but I love those that make humorous internet lists. A recent fave: Private Sign: Do Not Read
lol!
I think the mysterious sign Grace posted means no Russian peasant dancing. You know, where the men kick their legs out while squatting. I have no idea what the dance is called.
HA HA!
Sue!!! That’s HILARIOUS!
Sue, Do you mean Russian cossacks dancers like these?
Yes, that is exactly what I meant Grace! I could picture the dancers, I jut didn’t kno what they were called exactly.
In Shelburne, NH, there’s a road named “Grumpy Old Men Rd.” Two guys have properties on it. Apparently they’re both well-liked in town, but people keep stealing their road sign…