I don't get the joke here, but just want to point out that Finnish is subject to the same taboo. "Karhu" is related to "karhea" ie. refers to the rough fur/pelt

I don't get the joke here, but just want to point out that Finnish is subject to the same taboo. "Karhu" is related to "karhea" ie. refers to the rough fur/pelt of the bear. The original Fenno-Ugric word os probably something like otso or ohto.