Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 26, 2021 18:49:17 GMT
A few names which went a bit wrong..
Chevrolet Nova. GM couldn't work out why it wasn't selling well in Spanish speaking parts of South and Central America, until it was pointed out that "no va" is Spanish for does not go!
Nike brought out a new running shoe which was two tone brown and they called it the Black and Tan. It wasn't selling in Ireland, then they found out that the Black and Tans were a violent paramilitary force sent in to maintain order during the Irish civil war in 1920-2, who got completely out of control.
Fiat Punto. Again, didn't go down well in Spain. Punto means something rude in Spanish..
Sure there must be more
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Three Litre
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Oscar 24
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Post by Three Litre on Jul 26, 2021 19:15:59 GMT
There was a slimming aid in the 80's, called AYDS, ................so that didn't go well after about '86.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 26, 2021 19:21:32 GMT
Yes, I remember those! Ribble motor services had a few Daimler Fleetline buses with coach seats which they used for express services. They called them Gay Hostesses!, this was about 1960 ish though. I don't think anyone would call a bus that name now
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Nightfly
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Post by Nightfly on Jul 26, 2021 19:22:06 GMT
Well there's a certain type of UK pork meatballs produced by "Mr Brain's" that would probably be very offensive in America... A couple I had to Google - The Nokia Lumina phone is a no-no in Spain. Nothing wrong with Nokia, but Lumina apparently translates to err...a lady of the night and "Siri" in the Georgian language is a part of the male anatomy. I also recall Liverpool shopkeepers in the 70s being up in arms about a short-lived chocolate bar called a Nudge, which I believe was local slang for something similar.
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Jul 26, 2021 19:24:43 GMT
Yes, I remember those! Ribble motor services had a few Daimler Fleetline buses with coach seats which they used for express services. They called them Gay Hostesses!, this was about 1960 ish though. I don't think anyone would call a bus that name now Streuth! Still, be funny to see what happened if someone tried! Well, briefly.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 26, 2021 19:47:02 GMT
Wonder if the beer called Corona is still around!?
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Jul 26, 2021 19:49:57 GMT
Wonder if the beer called Corona is still around!? Defo, I had one last night!
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Jul 27, 2021 12:32:33 GMT
There was a slimming aid in the 80's, called AYDS, ................so that didn't go well after about '86. 3L, I presume this is the one you are referring to in this ad from the early 80s... Vi
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 27, 2021 15:47:41 GMT
Another one which has sprung to mind is the Ford Probe.. It sounds like something from a Carry On film, "I've got a Probe!" " ooer missus" Cue Sid James laughter track
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Jul 27, 2021 20:01:53 GMT
Maybe not so unfortunate unless you think about it but after having drunk Vimto for years it only occured to me recently that the name is an anagram of vomit. It was originally called 'Vim Tonic' and marketed as a health drink, the name was later shortened to Vimto.
I've always thought Virgin was an embarassing & inappropriate name for a company & brand. I'm sure if Branson could've foreseen the global empire his record label would become he would've chosen a different name.
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