The UK has voted for the name of its favorite pun-based store, and ‘Sew the seams‘, a clothing alteration shop in Belfast, has taken the number one spot.
Language learning platform Babbel It scoured TikTok, Instagram,
In second and third place was the Harlech clothing store damsel in this dress and moving company Jean-Claude Van Manof Southport.
Alongside the three national winners, Babbel announced the most popular store names in each UK region: London-based hair salon Barber Streisand to Dartmoor food van inspired by Sherlock Holmes The hound of basket meals (Best in the South West) and Shetland Pet Sitting Service furry pop-ins (best in Scotland).
However, the pun doesn’t end there. The best East Midlands shopping name was Ashbourne’s About a wick and a prayer – a sparkling name for a candle shop.
Million pun: The UK has voted for the name of its favorite pun-based shop, and Belfast clothing alteration shop ‘Sew It Seams’ has taken the number one spot.
Pun, definitely a winner: ‘Hound of the Basket Meals’, a Dartmoor food truck, named best in the South West
Luton stole the East of England crown with a barbershop barber alleywhile the force was with Sunderland in the poll: its tanning shop took the North East England award for solo tanning.
In the south, East Kent stood out with Panel on the glass (a glass repair shop), while West Midlands was represented by Birmingham Ironing Service, Iron Maiden.
Completing the list was the lovely Fry Nemoa fish and chip shop in Goole.
From the contest, Noël Wolf, cultural expert and Babbel live teacher, said: ‘Puns are a cultural phenomenon deeply rooted in British society. Originating from the jesters of medieval times and flourishing in Elizabethan times, the art of wordplay has evolved over the centuries and found a modern home in everyday conversation.
‘These linguistic gems not only highlight the adaptability of the English language but also serve as a reflection of our daily lives, blending the wit with the mundane. From cleverly named stores to literature, this play on words has become an integral part of our communication landscape.
“As we navigate the twists and turns of modern communication, word games are enduring testaments to the charm of language, making the serious matters of everyday life a little more entertaining.”