Some Queer Advertisements

Showing the Results of Bad Punctuation and Faulty Composition.

["Ottawa Daily Herald," 10 Aug 1897, page 4, column 2]

A London periodical recently offered a prize for the best collection of unintentionally amusing advertisements. Here is a part of one list. It embodies illustrations of the curious effect which the misplacing of a comma, or of a word or two, often has upon the meaning of a sentence:

"Annual sale now going on. Don't go elsewhere to be cheated - come in here."

"Wanted, a room for two gentlemen about 30 feet long and 20 feet broad."

"A lady wants to sell her piano, as she is going abroad in a strong iron frame."

"Lost, a collie dog by a man on Saturday answering to Jim with a brass collar around his neck and a muzzle."

"Wanted, a respectable girl, her passage to New York, willing to take care of children and a good tailor."

"Respectable tailor wants washing on Tuesday."

"M. Brown, furrier, begs to announce that he will make up gowns, capes, etc., for ladies out of their own skins."

"A boy wanted who can open oysters with a reference."

"Bulldog for sale, will eat anything: very fond of children."

"Wanted a boy to be partly outside and partly behind the counter."

"Lost, near Highgate archway, an umbrella belonging to a gentleman with a bent rib and a bond handle."

"Widow in comfortable circumstances wishes to marry two sons."

"To be disposed of a mail phaeton, the property of a gentleman with a movable headpiece as good as new."