5 ms·

I don't have a strong opinion about your larger point. It might be correct, I'm still thinking it through. But the Chevy Nova thing is an urban legend: http://

by afshin 11y ago

I don't have a strong opinion about your larger point. It might be correct, I'm still thinking it through. But the Chevy Nova thing is an urban legend: http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp

gardano 11y ago
This might be an urban myth; however, when we were travelling in Europe a few years ago, my Argentine wife just laughed and laughed when she saw a car "Pajero", which in Argentina means "wanker"…
- alsetmusic 11y ago
  One of the biggest names in tech changed the branding for a service in certain markets where the English title translated into profanity. It's the responsible move if you're operating globally. Apologies for ambiguity, but this is a case where I can't be any more specific.
  - mahouse 11y ago
    The Pajero is called Montero in several countries, which include the Spanish-speaking ones.
    - gardano 11y ago
      The country we were in was Switzerland, if memory serves...
    - outworlder 11y ago
      Of note: it is called Pajero in Brazil, which is a Portuguese speaking country. I wonder what happens when someone crosses the border (any border) with it.
      - mahouse 11y ago
        That it gets funny I guess. Around my neighbourhood there's always a Pajero parked around. I've smiled at it for years. Childish humour never dies.
      - marcosdumay 11y ago
        Pajero is not a Portuguese word. People that speech Spanish may smile at it and Nova, but we have plenty of jokes about Kia's BestA, that means both beast, stupid or arrogant. Anyway, BestA sold pretty well here.
- arprocter 11y ago
  Toyota renamed the MR2 in France because 'MR deux' sounds like 'merde'
Grishnakh 11y ago
What about the tale about Pepsi and their slogan "Come to life with Pepsi!" being translated into Chinese and coming out "Pepsi will bring your dead ancestors back to life"? Or Coca-Cola being translated to "bite the wax tadpole"?

by afshin 11y ago

gardano 11y ago

This might be an urban myth; however, when we were travelling in Europe a few years ago, my Argentine wife just laughed and laughed when she saw a car "Pajero", which in Argentina means "wanker"…

alsetmusic 11y ago
One of the biggest names in tech changed the branding for a service in certain markets where the English title translated into profanity. It's the responsible move if you're operating globally. Apologies for ambiguity, but this is a case where I can't be any more specific.
- mahouse 11y ago
  The Pajero is called Montero in several countries, which include the Spanish-speaking ones.
  - gardano 11y ago
    The country we were in was Switzerland, if memory serves...
  - outworlder 11y ago
    Of note: it is called Pajero in Brazil, which is a Portuguese speaking country. I wonder what happens when someone crosses the border (any border) with it.
    - mahouse 11y ago
      That it gets funny I guess. Around my neighbourhood there's always a Pajero parked around. I've smiled at it for years. Childish humour never dies.
    - marcosdumay 11y ago
      Pajero is not a Portuguese word. People that speech Spanish may smile at it and Nova, but we have plenty of jokes about Kia's BestA, that means both beast, stupid or arrogant. Anyway, BestA sold pretty well here.
arprocter 11y ago
Toyota renamed the MR2 in France because 'MR deux' sounds like 'merde'

Grishnakh 11y ago

What about the tale about Pepsi and their slogan "Come to life with Pepsi!" being translated into Chinese and coming out "Pepsi will bring your dead ancestors back to life"? Or Coca-Cola being translated to "bite the wax tadpole"?