Tallinn, Estonia
Today's photo comes to us from Brooke of Brooke vs. the World.
Here's what she has to say about it:
"One of my favorite things to encounter when traveling are funny signs, so I always make sure to keep an eye out while on the road. I was casually strolling through Tallinn, Estonia, amusing myself with trying to pronounce some of the words in the street signs (they use so many vowels!) when I found this number. Oh, my. If you're anything like me, you'll be giggling uncontrollably at how this name visually translates into English!"
Since we already know that I am like unto a 12 year old, I will admit that yes, I was giggling, and even looking around sheepishly, despite the fact that no one else was in the room at the time.
Estonia needs more sporting gear.
"After doing some research, I found out that “Kiek in de Kök” actually means “peek into the kitchen” in Estonian. Who would have guessed?"
I suggested to Brooke, should she ever encounter an unfortunate victim of Kiek in de Kök activity, that she recommend recuperation among the gently rolling hills of Ballylickey here in Ireland.
What's a favorite sign you've encountered while on the road?
Brooke is a thrifty traveler and experience collector with a love for language learning, history, and cannoli. She is the creator of the female travel focused FTU Newsletter and Her Packing List website. You can follow Brooke's adventures on both Twitter and Facebook.
it was originally in Plattdüütsch, low german, not estonian language. It was the common language for the Baltic sea region, in late middle ages. These words have nevertheless made a way to estonian language too, in estonian the same statement sounds like “Kiika kööki”
Wow, thanks, Gregor! Is the meaning the same, just the spelling and sound a bit different?
tee hee! How did I miss this when I was there? Did Waitrose hire this signmaker I wonder?
Oh, Jools! Now I’m going to have to send you an email and ask you to clarify that wacky British humor (or “humour”) of yours. ;)
Great pic you got here, these kind of pics are travelers’ amusement for sure. I just love to walk in the old town in Tallinn.
My eyes just went like this: O.o
LOL!
That’s classic! The funniest sign that I’ve seen was in my own city. A liquor store had a back to school sale for teachers. I thought that was pretty funny.
Ha! That is a good one.
I also like the internet memes with silly or duelling church signs, myself. They are usually fake, but very funny. Here’s a sample: http://www.ourrisingsound.com/2008/08/19/presbyterian-vs-catholic-church-sign-debate/ ;)
Tallinn was the first city I ever visited overseas. I was there in the mid 90s and spent quite a few hours learning Estonian phrases. Incredibly difficult language but it will always be one my favorite countries because it inspired me to travel and helped me discover a passion I never knew I had.
Nice pic! I have visited Tallinn about one hundred times (from Helsinki) and never noticed these signs. Of course estonian language is quite similar to finnish. But Tallinn old city is full of signs to estonians and tourists.
When driving in Australia we saw several signs that said “Drive on the left.” I love those signs!
We have some of those here in Ireland, too. It’s also painted on the roads near all the airports where people are most likely to rent cars. It’s an important reminder — still sometimes freaks me out to be on the “wrong” side of the car — even after 10 months. :D