Illumination
November 18th, 2008
My first job in journalism was at a trade paper called Women’s Wear Daily, where the managing editor, Mort Sheinman, taught me some lessons that, all these years later, still stand me in good stead when I sit down to write a newspaper or magazine story.
One day Mort and I went out to lunch and he confessed to me that his dream job would be city editor – not at the newspaper, but literally walking around the streets of New York correcting all of the mistakes on street signs, on menus, on movie marquees and so on.
I thought he might be interested in the writing on the wall outside this store in the Colonia Roma Sur, which sells all sort of light bulbs and light fixtures. It would appear that they are selling some lamps with the brand name “Slime Line.” I’m assuming they are actually called “Slim Line.” But maybe they’re just dirty lamps. What do you think, Mort?
Labels: Mexico City
6 Responses to “Illumination”
By La Bibi on Nov 18, 2008
Could be Spanglish: pronounced slíme? Maybe it just sounds right in Spanish…
And what would one say of the sound of “focos”? Say it slowly, say it! SO naughty!
By Strika on Nov 18, 2008
This is nothing compared to all the spelling mistakes in Spanish you find on street signs…
By Mort on Nov 18, 2008
I’m assuming they are actually called “Slim Line.” But maybe they’re just dirty lamps. What do you think, Mort?
I also taught you not to assume anything, but to check it out. Google “lamparas slime line” and you’ll see that the sign is neither misspelled nor a reference to dirty lamps. It’s Spanish.
Su amigo,
Mort
By Mexico Cooks! on Nov 20, 2008
It’s a reference to the kind of reporting *you* sometimes do, Sr. Lida. Not the Star, not the Enquirer: it’s the Slime Line.
tu amiga que te aprecia muchísmo
Cristina
By Gary Denness on Nov 20, 2008
He could start at Metro Auditorio. You’d think they’d have managed to spell check before this sort of a project…
http://garydenness.co.uk/2008/07/now-spell.html
By Alexis O'Hara on Jan 7, 2009
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog while I’ve been in residency here in DF. This business is right around the corner from my house! thanks for your writing & photos.