This Scottish town just realized it's been calling itself 'Penis Island' for a decade
LatestWhen tourists depart the ferry and enter the tiny town of Rothesay on the Scottish island of Bute, they’re welcomed by a very nice sign. Here’s a pic:
How lovely. It’s the “Gateway to Beautiful Bute,” the home of some old-ass castles and other Scottish things. I’m sure it’s a very charming place. There’s also some other words on that sign in a language you don’t recognize. The words are:
Fáilte gu Baile Bhòid
– An doras gu bhòidhchead Eilean Bhoid
It’s Gaelic, the language is Gaelic. Some of those words are supposed to say: “Welcome to the beauty of the Isle of Bute.” A little redundant, but whatever. It actually says: “Welcome to the beauty of Penis Island.”
What!
Apparently, the Scotsman tells us, there’s supposed to be an accent on that second “bhoid.” It changes the meaning of the word from “Bute” to dick. It’s not supposed to say that! And get this—it was like that for nine whole years! And no one noticed!
Coinneach Combe, the guy who took the picture, was gobsmacked. How do we know? “I was gobsmacked,” he told the Scotsman.
Same.
Michael Rosen is a reporter for Fusion based out of Oakland.