“Saloons” - Japanese Style!
May 21st, 2008 by Mike
This next post has inspired me to create a new category on MichaelMcKinlay.com entitled, “English Japan?” I’ve been to Japan many times and while I love the country I always get a kick out of the English signs there. Don’t know what I mean? Read on bra…. and continue to visit my “English Japan?” section in the future. Trust me, I have many more stories to write on this subject. 
I don’t know about you but when I think of a Saloon I think of an old western movie where cowboys go to drink and fight. However in Japan, I it seems that it’s popular for manufacturers to use the word “Saloon” in the naming of cars. Finding strange English in Japan is not hard to do and often I can understand why things may be translated the way they are. Although using the word “Saloon” in naming an automobile has always confused me. So much so that I looked up the definition for “Saloon” on the net and this is what I came up with:
Saloon may refer to:
* Saloon (Chiefly British) - (car) or sedan, an enclosed four-to-six seat car body style with four doors and a separate boot
* An American Wild West bar
I don’t know if the Brits still use this term, I kind of doubt that they do… but the definition doesn’t explain what I found one on the train below…
Mmmm with so many Saloons to choose from how does anyone decide? I mean there are Super Saloons, Royal Saloons, and even Hyper Saloons. If you were a Saloon, which one would you be? I’d be a Royal Saloon!
Possibly related:
-Finally… Japanese Cigarettes with Less Stink!
-Kids English Shirts In Japan
-My Japanese Family in Canada
-Cute Japanese Girls On A Swing
-Importing Used Cars From Japan to Canada
Posted: May 21st, 2008 under Crazy Japan, English Japan?, Mike's Travels.
Comments: 5
It’s not common in everyday language, but the word “saloon” is quite normal, and used just as you North Americans use “sedan”.
In fact, “saloon” seems to mean large area, so its usage isn’t limited to just bars and cars. You’ll also find that it means “large social lounge” when talking about passenger ships, and surprise, surprise, it’s also used to mean a train “car”.
Many British Royals had saloons on their trains (source), and even the Emperor of Russia had a royal saloon on his imperial train.
Since I’m debunking my Net Buddy, let me wrap up with this little paragraph from Top Gear:
Aha! So it’s not only the Japanese who say “hyper saloon”! Consider yourself debunked! I don’t think you’re a Royal Saloon, Mike, I think you’re a royal saLOON!
OMG I’ve been debunked!
Yes, Nick, but knowing that Americans and Canadians might be
encouraged to drink and drive in Japan by seeing cars named in
such a way, I think the Japanese are acting irresponsibly, regard-
less of their fondness for British English.
This must stop!
I totally agree!
へぇ。
I read it now.
We use the word “bonnnet.”