Years ago, Wacoal had a new panty hose product. They put out a commercial on TV for this. At the time, the word "City" was a buzz word. The unfortunate name for the new panty hose was "City Pants." This wouldn't have been too bad, but the Katakana pronunciation made this into "Shi**y Pants." It was only on a couple of times and some killjoy told them and they took it off the air!
Apart from the usual ones like Creap, Calpis and Pocari Sweat, I'm always amused at the names Japanese automakers give their cars. Many of them sound weird, like Vitz, N-Box, Pajero, etc. Then there are the low cost carriers like Peach and Vanilla Air.
"The Pungency" was a short-lived bottled tea product that was available for a time 5 years ago. The funny thing was, it was actually a very appropriate name given the use of the word 'pungent' amongst professional tea tasters. But I can't see a brand in the UK naming a mass-market product in that way.
Goo.N diapers... because your baby is a goon? No one at Daio Paper company can check an English language dictionary? I suppose it's somehow cute when said in Japanese, but in English, not so much.
I also remember Tokyota's electric concept car at the Makuhari Motor Show running a slogan of 'I swing,you swing,'.........man,they justed needed to feature a bowl with loads of car keys in there for it to be perfect.
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BertieWooster
Years ago, Wacoal had a new panty hose product. They put out a commercial on TV for this. At the time, the word "City" was a buzz word. The unfortunate name for the new panty hose was "City Pants." This wouldn't have been too bad, but the Katakana pronunciation made this into "Shi**y Pants." It was only on a couple of times and some killjoy told them and they took it off the air!
Strangerland
Like City Wok on South Park!
smartacus
Apart from the usual ones like Creap, Calpis and Pocari Sweat, I'm always amused at the names Japanese automakers give their cars. Many of them sound weird, like Vitz, N-Box, Pajero, etc. Then there are the low cost carriers like Peach and Vanilla Air.
Haaa Nemui
"Naive" and "Moist Diane" always make me laugh.
DiscoJ_2
"The Pungency" was a short-lived bottled tea product that was available for a time 5 years ago. The funny thing was, it was actually a very appropriate name given the use of the word 'pungent' amongst professional tea tasters. But I can't see a brand in the UK naming a mass-market product in that way.
Arrrgh-Type
Goo.N diapers... because your baby is a goon? No one at Daio Paper company can check an English language dictionary? I suppose it's somehow cute when said in Japanese, but in English, not so much.
Arrrgh-Type
There's also Sanity air freshener, for when those bathroom smells are driving you absolutely nuts.
Speed
"Couque D'asses" the cream filled vanilla wafers that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling each time you put one in your mouth. "Colon" anyone?
BertieWooster
The energy drink, "Mucos!" Perhaps influenced by Pocari Sweat?
kohakuebisu
Homo sausage!
Vince Black
CREAM Colon chocolates
a child model agency called "creamy kids"
a lubricant called "soft on demand"
an automechanic shop called "sand people" but that's actually awsome...
Serrano
This one's not in Japan but I thought it would be worth a mention - the Ford Aspire. Aspire? What does it aspire to be? A better car?
"Moist Diane"
Har!
Spitfire
Bird seed clawed 'Smack.'
I also remember Tokyota's electric concept car at the Makuhari Motor Show running a slogan of 'I swing,you swing,'.........man,they justed needed to feature a bowl with loads of car keys in there for it to be perfect.
Luddite
The house builders urging us to "Feel wood" a few years back.
kawabegawa198
Cat Smack cat food.
kyushubill
Crack Rock Candy, was a peppermint candy
Fouxdefa
Titty & Co. women's clothing retailer.
To Be White toothpaste (the TV commercials are also gold).
ClippetyClop
Fukuppy still a class leader in hilarity.
I’ve never seen any Italian ‘Smeg’ products over here, but they always make me chuckle.
seadog538
In Akihabara in the mid 80s there was a "Cafe Poo". Didn't go in!
seadog538
One that has been seen for years and still pops up is Bar Ber -as though it's two words.
nandakandamanda
Willy's Take Out for a pizza shop near here.
Love Drugs, although I think they have changed it to Love Drugstore now. Perhaps someone gave them a hint?
There was a general hardware shop called Big Dick, but they subsequently changed that to Daiki.
Hard-Off sounds kind of weird for a store, not immediately obvious what they sell.