Back in the 80’s, Sav-on was acquired by the parent company of Osco Drugs and many of their stores were rebranded as Osco. They soon learned that the word “Asco” in Spanish (pronounced the same) means “disgust” and after realizing how many people in California spoke Spanish, they quickly decided that was a mistake and went back to being Sav-On. I wonder how much it cost them to replace the neon signs twice! These products, however, have even worse names…
Kotaku’s Eric Jou reviewed Burger King China’s PooPoo Smoothie in 2014. (He says it’s delicious.) While you’re craving your own “mango ice smoothie with blow up pearls,” here are 11 more tragic, bizarre, or off-color examples of products that really exist—and don’t always mean what their manufacturers intended.
1. PEE COLA
This extremely popular soda, which is bottled in Ghana, means “very good Cola,” but that’s not most tourists’ first impression.
2. LUMIA
Nokia’s new smartphone translates in Spanish slang to prostitute, which is unfortunate, but at least the cell phone giant is in good company. The name of international car manufacturer Peugeot translates in southern China to Biao zhi, which means the same thing.
3. BARF
Photo by Flickr user John Karakatsanis
In Iran, where this detergent is manufactured, that word means “snow.” Outside of Iran, where this detergent is sold, it calls forth something rather less pristine and redolent.
4. “IT TAKES A TOUGH MAN TO MAKE A TENDER CHICKEN.”
Photo by Flickr user Nick Taylor (indigoprime)
When you translate Perdue Chicken’s classic slogan to Spanish, it means something different: It takes a, well, hard man to make a chicken affectionate.
5. FART BAR
In Polish, where this candy bar is made, the name translates to “lucky bar.”
6. AASS FATOL
The Norwegians may think they’re just drinking “draught beer,” but the label will almost definitely make English-speaking visitors giggle.
7. SIRI
In the Georgian language, the iPhone’s personal assistant software is a rude word for cock. And no, we’re not talking about a rooster.
8. SHITO
In Ghana, whoever decided to market these popular hot black peppers using their local name was not, presumably, giving those who consume them a warning.
9. ONLY PUKE(ET)
On these Chinese-made honey bean chips, the “et” after “Puke” is unfortunately obscured by the packaging design.
10. CHLEB SEMEN
OK, admittedly, perhaps only 14-year-old boys should think this type of Polish bread—which means, literally, “bread with seeds”—is funny.
11. MEGAPUSSI
Photo by Flickr user Marijn de Vries Hoogerwerff
In Finland, these “extra-large bags” of potato chips are available at the country’s large chain of—wait for it—KKK Supermarkets.
How about the Chevy Nova (No go in Spanish).