# Examples Of Brand-Name Failures In The US (better explanation in OP) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 15, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706 "2020-06-15T15:53:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/21 "2020-06-15T23:45:18Z")
The one I heard was one that never got to the implementation stage. It was a Chinese company wishing to expand their sowing machines into the US and wanted to call their company in the US ‘Ordinary Sowing Company’. They apparently did some research and though that was along the lines of Standard Oil, or General Electric. They were encouraged to change their name and did. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/22 "2020-06-15T23:52:30Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > The one I heard was one that never got to the implementation stage. It was a Chinese company wishing to expand their sowing machines into the US and wanted to call their company in the US ‘Ordinary Sowing Company’. They apparently did some research and though that was along the lines of Standard Oil, or General Electric. They were encouraged to change their name and did. I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/23 "2020-06-16T00:40:54Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I don’t get it. “Ordinary” is a synonym for some definitions of “standard” and “general.” ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/24 "2020-06-16T00:43:16Z")
If you’re a Dutchman you might think twice about buying a Citroen…don’t want to get a lemon! ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/25 "2020-06-16T01:29:19Z")
I always thought “Pocari Sweat” was a terrible name for the sports drink from Japan, but the brand has been around for years so perhaps it’s just me. But the name makes me think of a delicate little creature from the veldt, perhaps a juvenile antelope, being run through some diabolical contraption in order to extract its sweat for thirsty humans. Poor widdle baby pocari! . ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/26 "2020-06-16T03:45:07Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > If you’re a Dutchman you might think twice about buying a Citroen…don’t want to get a lemon! It’s only an issue if you assume that in the Netherlands “lemon” has the idiomatic sense of “dud car” that it has in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/27 "2020-06-16T03:59:35Z")
> [@bump](#): > > They mostly figured that one out pretty quick, and now mostly only market Bimbo stuff to the Hispanic population, and to the normal US population through their Mrs. Baird’s, Oroweat, Sara Lee and Wonder Bread brands (along with some others). Bimbo bread is in regular supermarkets around here. I mentally pronounce it more like it would be in Spanish - beem-bo. It was kind of funny at first but I got over that quickly. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/28 "2020-06-16T04:21:40Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > The Chevy Nova is a famous one. Basically translates as “no go” or “doesn’t go.” Not good for a car! This is obviously untrue, as Mexican Pemex marketed a grade of fuel as “Nova”, before the Chevy Nova waas introduced. [https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Flookaside.fbsbx.com%2Flookaside%2Fcrawler%2Fmedia%2F%3Fmedia\_id%3D2351445371632495&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fes-la.facebook.com%2Fvwsedan1984%2Fphotos%2Flas-bombas-con-la-transici%25C3%25B3n-de-nova-a-magna%2F2351445371632495%2F&tbnid=\_emgpgoaYBE2RM&vet=12ahUKEwjRzvqivIXqAhVPAqYKHUBOAfkQMygAegUIARCQAQ..i&docid=JuTNZR-SLoPbkM&w=960&h=948&q=pemex%20nova&ved=2ahUKEwjRzvqivIXqAhVPAqYKHUBOAfkQMygAegUIARCQAQ](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Flookaside.fbsbx.com%2Flookaside%2Fcrawler%2Fmedia%2F%3Fmedia_id%3D2351445371632495&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fes-la.facebook.com%2Fvwsedan1984%2Fphotos%2Flas-bombas-con-la-transici%25C3%25B3n-de-nova-a-magna%2F2351445371632495%2F&tbnid=_emgpgoaYBE2RM&vet=12ahUKEwjRzvqivIXqAhVPAqYKHUBOAfkQMygAegUIARCQAQ..i&docid=JuTNZR-SLoPbkM&w=960&h=948&q=pemex%20nova&ved=2ahUKEwjRzvqivIXqAhVPAqYKHUBOAfkQMygAegUIARCQAQ) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/29 "2020-06-16T04:45:27Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > … their sowing machines… . They sold agricultural equipment? > [@Pleonast](#): > > I don’t get it. Because calling your company Ordinary is unlikely to inspire confidence in the quality of your goods. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/30 "2020-06-16T05:43:14Z")
Japanese soft drink Calpis has never taken off in the US despite multiple name changes such as “Calypso” ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/31 "2020-06-16T11:39:23Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Yeah, Bimbo products have done fine, where I’ve lived. Definitely not a “failure.” Evidently not completely without hiccups, in the sports-sponsorship world: > **[Philly's Bimbo Problem: Soccer Team Sponsor Faces Uphill Battle](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/phillys-bimbo-problem-soccer-team-sponsor-faces-uphill-battle/)** > > It's the toughest sports marketing challenge on the planet: Convincing MLS fans to wear a shirt sponsored by Bimbo. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/32 "2020-06-16T11:52:32Z")
This in the UK, not the US, but Grace Foods from Jamaica sell [Cock Flavour Noodle Soup Mix](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/grace-cock-soup-50g). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/33 "2020-06-16T12:14:12Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > They sold agricultural equipment? > > Because calling your company Ordinary is unlikely to inspire confidence in the quality of your goods. One is supposed to name all that stuff Acme. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/34 "2020-06-16T12:23:45Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > I just realized I need a blue lion-bear-eagle-chameleon-cheetah [plush toy](http://www.assmann-wsw.com/us/en/the-company/thats-what-we-stand-for/) with “Assmann” on the tummy for my desk. So do I. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/35 "2020-06-16T16:24:31Z")
The regrettably named [BJ series balances](https://www.precisa.com/series/series-165-bj-balances). And while we’re at it, [the BM series](https://www.aandd.jp/products/weighing/balance/analytical/bm.html). > [@kferr](#): > > This in the UK, not the US, but Grace Foods from Jamaica sell [Cock Flavour Noodle Soup Mix](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/grace-cock-soup-50g). I’ve seen that here. I bought a pouch for a prank yet to be determined. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/36 "2020-06-16T18:08:37Z")
I always had to suppress a chuckle when I heard talk about Wang Laboratories. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/37 "2020-06-17T17:31:42Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > If you’re a Dutchman you might think twice about buying a Citroen…don’t want to get a lemon! > [@UDS](#): > > It’s only an issue if you assume that in the Netherlands “lemon” has the idiomatic sense of “dud car” that it has in the US. André Citroën’s father _was_ Dutch, and actually changed his name to Citroen (his own father had taken the name Limoenman because he was a fruit seller). ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/38 "2020-06-17T19:12:19Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Japanese soft drink Calpis has never taken off in the US despite multiple name changes such as “Calypso” This probably has everything to do with the stuff being absolutely disgusting. Back in the '60s when we lived in Japan we joked that the company must have asked some GI what he thought of it and used his response as the name for the drink. There was also a Cracker Jack type snack called “Carapu” that we figured had a similar genesis. I still giggle every time someone mentions the German company “Siemens.” Because I will never stop being twelve. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/39 "2020-06-18T01:58:22Z")
Not sure this qualifies since they never introduced the model in the US. When I was in Japan 22 years ago, I saw a van with the large letters M…U… on the back. As I got closer, I realized that the full lettering was Mysterious Utility. Still mulling that one over. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706/40 "2020-06-18T02:08:14Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > So _pajero_ equates to “wanker” or “jerk-off.” Oh, God. I’m 48 and a half, and I’ve just now realized that the insult “wanker” means “one who wanks,” i.e., a masturbator. While not a brand name, I recall that Microsoft had an issue with their product registration code in, IIRC, Venezuela, because “hembra” there, which simply means “female” in most of the Spanish-speaking world, in particular means something insulting in that nation (“bitch,” I seem to recall). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-brand-name-failures-in-the-us-better-explanation-in-op/855706.md?page=3)