I have a list of all four digit combinations of alpha-numeric characters starting with the letter B (Characters are all upper case and no special characters). These will be used as identifiers for “products” that my company will be representing. Although they are not part of the name of the product, they will be referenced when selecting the product. My company is global with products located around the world, but the company is headquartered in the US. It is a very family friendly company for the most part.
My challenge is identifying any of these 4 digit combos that could be considered offensive in any of our markets. Things like BOOB, and any variation using zeros instead of O’s would be restricted. I’m not too worried about other character/number substitutions so we don’t need to get all leet speak here. I’m also going to weed out things with any three letter words that could raise an eyebrow like BSEX, BFUK, and BGAY (that one we may selectively assign as we do have gay specific products, but wouldn’t want to randomly assign… I’m also restricting BGOD). Even things like BOZO may be restricted… even though it isn’t offensive, someone may not want their product referred to in a less than flattering way (these “products” are owned by other big companies so we have to be careful).
As I said, we are global so I need to consider things that may be offensive elsewhere that wouldn’t be considered so in the US. For example I think BINT is considered offensive in the UK but wouldn’t in the US.
I’ve come up with about 40 already, but I need your help. If you can think of any 4 letter B words you wouldn’t find appropriate (or think your grandma may not) please put them here. If they are regional please let me know where and what they mean as I will have to explain them to a VP (that should be a fun meeting). You don’t need to explain the obvious as I know what a BUTT is and can figure out BTCH.
Thanks guys… if ever there was a better use for the creative and perverted minds of the dope I’ve not seen it.
Wouldn’t worry about ‘bint’, sounds to me like something Oliver Twist would say.
For the UK you might want to avoid BGGR (bugger; mild profanity literally meaning to sodomise), maybe BLLK (bollock, testicle). BUMS might be one to avoid, juvenile term for arses, don’t know if you use it over there.
That’s good to know… I just remember someone saying “that stupid bint.” I wouldn’t find it at all upsetting, but thought others may.
I’ll probably make some fully restricted, and others “assign with discretion.” This is a leisure travel product so someplace that is a spring break beach product may not mind getting BABE, and something in New Orleans or Las Vegas may not mind BAWD. The majority though will want to avoid any raised eyebrows.
So, what about BUFU? It was used by a group of people I knew in the late 70’s, early 80’s as an insult saying someone was his “BUFU Buddy” meaning his “Butt F**k” partner. I haven’t heard it since and have no idea if it has that connotation to anyone else.
BERK is a (mild) insult in the UK, meaning something like fool.
BINT is a rather dated British slang word for a young woman, something like “chick” in America. I doubt if many people still use it, but older people here might remember it, and some might find it inappropriate.
Could you simplify your task by not using any vowels?