Proper storage of warheads

A classic example of "officialese," which came to light in 1951. Text from a Royal Navy instruction manual on the proper storage of torpedo warheads:

It is necessary for technical reasons that these warheads should be stored with the top at the bottom, and the bottom at the top. In order that there may be no doubt as to which is the bottom and which is the top for storage purposes, it will be seen that the bottom of each warhead has been labeled with the word TOP.

The Decatur Herald - Aug 30, 1951



Green Bay Press-Gazette - Apr 22, 1962

     Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 27, 2016
     Category: Government | Regulations | Languages





Comments
Not my own thoughts, but this is what popped into my head when I read this:

Imagine living in a place where the sea was red
And your legs were in the position now occupied by your head
Imagine living in a place where black was white
And white was black, even the night.

Posted by KDP on 10/27/16 at 08:46 AM
And here.... TOP reminds me of the old Computer Exit - you could type TOP and get out of the screen you were in. Problem - There was a great airport in Topeka KS, whose Airport Code was TOP. They had to change their airport code to FOE. F O E
Posted by Greg on 10/27/16 at 08:31 PM
Maybe the British should leave handling anything missile shaped to their women ?
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 10/28/16 at 01:49 AM
Another reason for the decline and fall of the British Empire. I'm sure they had a long, complex, confusing list of instructions on the proper care and use of condoms. God Save The Queen!
Posted by Gator Guy on 10/28/16 at 07:30 PM
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