QQQ Archives » Extras » STUPID WARNINGS* From the Q Files, a subsidiary of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

WARNING:  STUPID WARNINGS*

(from The Washington Post: Sunday May 14, 1995, Final Edition)

Report from Week 110, in which we asked you to come up with absurd
warning labels for common products.  We loved one particular entry for
its wonderful idiocy:

On a cardboard windshield sun shade:  "Warning: Do Not Drive With Sun
Shield in Place."  We were going to make it a winner, until we
discovered that it wasn't made up.

Fourth Runner-Up -- On an infant's bathtub:  Do not throw baby out with
bath water. (Gary Dawson, Arlington)

Third Runner-Up -- On a package of Fisherman's Friend(R) throat lozenges: Not
meant as substitute for human companionship.  (Tom Witte, Gaithersburg)

Second Runner-Up -- On a Magic 8 Ball:  Not advised for use as a home
pregnancy test. (Chuck Smith, Woodbridge)

First Runner-Up -- On a roll of Life Savers:  Not for use as a flotation
device. (Jean Sorensen, Herndon)

And the winner of the Power Ranger pinata -- On a cup of McDonald's
coffee: Allow to cool before applying to groin area. (Elden Carnahan, Laurel)

====
Honorable Mentions

On a Pentium chip: If this product exhibits errors, the manufacturer
will replace it for a $2 shipping and a $3 handling charge, for a total
of $4.97.  (Russell Beland, Springfield)

On a refrigerator:  Refrigerate after opening.  (Cissie J. Owen, Leesburg)

On a pack of cigarettes: WARNING -- The Tobacco Institute has determined
that smoking just one cigarette greatly increases your risk of heart
attack by making you so incredibly sexy that gorgeous members of the
opposite sex surround you night and day, begging for intercourse and
wearing you into exhaustion, unless, of course, you have another couple
of cigarettes to steady your nerves.  (Jacob Weinstein, McLean)

On a disposable razor:  Do not use this product during an earthquake.
(Jim Gaffney, Manassas)

On pantyhose:  Not to be used in the commission of a felony.  (Judith
Daniel, Washington)

On a piano:  Harmful or fatal if swallowed.  (Peter Fay, Herndon)

On work gloves:  For best results, do not leave at crime scene. (Ken
Krattenmaker, Landover Hills)

On a palm sander:  Not to be used to sand palms.  (Patrick G. White,
Taneytown)

On a calendar:  Use of term "Sunday" for reference only. No
meteorological warranties express or implied.  (Elden Carnahan, Laurel)

On Odor Eaters:  Do not eat.  (Chuck Smith, Woodbridge)

On a blender:  Not for use as an aquarium.  (Gary Dawson, Arlington)

On a fax machine:  WARNING! Never attempt to directly fax anyone an
image of your naked buttocks.  Always photocopy your buttocks and fax
the photocopy. (John Kammer, Herndon)

On syrup of ipecac:  Caution: May cause vomiting.  (Paul Styrene, Olney)

On a microscope:  Objects are smaller and less alarming than they appear.
(J. Calvin Smith, Laurel)

On children's alphabet blocks:  Letters may be used to construct phrases
and sentences that may be deemed offensive.
(David Handelsman, Charlottesville)

On a wet suit:  Capacity, 1.  (J. Calvin Smith, Laurel)

And Last:  On The Washington Post:  Do not cut up and use for blackmail
note. (Joseph Romm, Washington).


*This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to
 real persons, living, dead, or imaginary, is purely coincidental. Void
where prohibited. Some assembly required. List each check separately by
bank number. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. 
Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use 
while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid 
by addressee. Subject to CAB approval. For mature audiences only. This is not 
an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for 
some viewers. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For 
recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. 
If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts 
inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without 
notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if 
mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of 
agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Many 
suitcases look alike. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco 
ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which 
seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated
with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. 
Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. 
List was current at time of printing. Return to sender, no forwarding order 
on file, unable to forward. Contains caffeine.  Divisible by seven (7).  
Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages 
resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating 
locations only. May cause anal leakage. Dry clean only. Not the Beatles.  
Remember the Alamo.  For external use only.