The badly-named businesses thread

[rogerzilla]

There's an IT company called Splunk.  They seem to enjoy the confusion.

[hujev]

I still remember the late 1970s TV ads for 'the aids diet plan' (may have been some similar spelling). I recall it continued well into the early 1980s... I hate feeling embarrassed for people I don't even know!

Also, when I was living in Ukraine about 15 years ago, 'fart' beer was one of the locals. (fart means luck in Ukrainian).

Lastly, there is a roadhouse a bit south of here (Fairbanks Alaska, which is why I don't 'get' so many of the posts in this thread or elsewhere in the English Language...) called 'skinny dick's halfway inn' - not sure if it's the same as referred to with slightly different name earlier; the link there was 'censored' on my US Government komputer (just as well...). I always call it 'slippery dicks', as I have heard the owner is just that. Have never been there...

 

[Andrij]

Also, when I was living in Ukraine about 15 years ago, 'fart' beer was one of the locals. (fart means luck in Ukrainian).

Що?!?       *дивиться у словники*   А-га, це жарґог/сланґ.

Wondered how I had missed that word, but a bit of research confirms that is a slang term, arising from the 'criminal classes' (according to one of my dictionaries).

[Cudzoziemiec]

The same word is used in Polish, as is fuks. I've not seen any beer with either name but I've seen a pub called Fuks. It was a 'sports' bar aimed at anglers. 

[hellymedic]

I still remember the late 1970s TV ads for 'the aids diet plan' (may have been some similar spelling). I recall it continued well into the early 1980s... I hate feeling embarrassed for people I don't even know!

The slimming sweeties were called Ayds.

[T42]

There should be a verb similar to google-bombing for what happens to a business whose name is usurped by something vile, such as AIDS or ISIS.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Or all those punters among the dreaming spires.

[Mr Larrington]

There should be a verb similar to google-bombing for what happens to a business whose name is usurped by something vile, such as AIDS or ISIS.

There should also be a word for the kind of low-browed grunting dick who gives people or businesses grief for being called "Isis".  Yes, you, Ferrero, who refused to give a little girl in Australia a personalised jar of Nutella.  With this dickishness you are spoiling us, and the entire world.

[rogerzilla]

There should be a verb similar to google-bombing for what happens to a business whose name is usurped by something vile, such as AIDS or ISIS.

A lot of baby girls have been called Isis in recent years (after the Egyptian goddess, not the fundie bastards).  Oh dear.  Still, there is a precedent; poor old Ira Gershwin.

[Tim Hall]

Where does the second boat in Oxford University's rowing club stand in all this?

[Mr Larrington]

Where does the second boat in Oxford University's rowing club stand in all this?

I expect it'll be sunk by the USAF before long.

[T42]

Where does the second boat in Oxford University's rowing club stand in all this?

I expect it'll be sunk by the USAF before long.

Bags I a drumstick.

[T42]

Not a business but a product: the Cooler Master Storm Devastator is really just a computer keyboard.

[Basil]

Not a business but a product: the Cooler Master Storm Devastator is really just a computer keyboard.

Are keyboards like bikes?  The more aggressive the name, the more rubbish the product.

[Mr Larrington]

And vice-versa, presumably.  What sort of a rubbish name is "Model M", FFS

[HTFB]

Where does the second boat in Oxford University's rowing club stand in all this?

Not too well. They're going backwards fast.

[Kim]

Not a business but a product: the Cooler Master Storm Devastator is really just a computer keyboard.

Are keyboards like bikes?  The more aggressive the name, the more rubbish the product.

More like saddles.  Lots of people seem to swear by the IBM Model M, but some of us only really get on with modern plastic rubbish.

And then there are the darksiders with their voice recognition...

[PeteB99]

Someone's just delivered a leaflet for Fat Boys kebab and pizza

[rogerzilla]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hand-job-auto-detailing

[HTFB]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hand-job-auto-detailing

http://www.aveda.co.uk/product/7527/33798/Collections/hand-relief/Hand-Relief-Night-Renewal-Serum/index.tmpl

[woollypigs]

While scanning the shelves at the local health food shop, I burst out laughing.

http://www.tisserand.com/ - Tisserand Aromatherapy

It works best in Danish: "Tisser" - means taking a piss, or the nickname of the dangly bits on a man, "and" - just means duck, nothing naughty.

But when just fast reading the product name it does look very close and could easily be mis read as - Tissermand.

"Tisser" - as above, "mand" - man. So put together we got the Danish word that kids and parents use for willy. Therefore we got the aroma of a nop in bottles

[hellymedic]

There's always that Belgian cultural icon..

[T42]

Not to mention:

http://www.smeg.fr/cuisinieres/

[hellymedic]

Not to mention:

http://www.smeg.fr/cuisinieres/

Win a fridge in today's London24 competition!
http://www.london24.com/competitions/win_a_smeg_fridge_1_4398646?utm_medium=email&utm_source=eshot&utm_campaign=newsletterlink

[ian]

We have a Smeg dishwasher and washing machine. Not bought for the name, they seemed to be only brushed stainless steel appliances going at the time.