October 20, 2001
MarkBernstein.org
 

Bork Bork Bork!

Google Preferences lets you choose from a long list of languages for Google tips and messages, including such unexpected choices as Pig Latin, Hacker, Elmer Fudd, and "bork bork bork!" -- the latter being spoken by a Muppett known as the Swedish chef.

It's an odd (and amusing) exercise, a quirky gesture that works beautifully: it's out of your way if you aren't looking for amusement, but amusing if you're looking for that sort of thing. Since search engine browsing and preference tinkering are both common displacement activities, this shows an amusing sensitivity to the way people actually use the tool.