On Fri, 19 Dec 1997 19:36:59 +0000 Paul Hunt <paul.hunt1@virgin.net>
writes:
>EPMD- Van syckel, John wrote:
>>
>> On 17 Dec Rick Feibusch wrote:
>>
>> > Dear Listers -
>> >
>> > Here is a look at how shrewd American business people translate
>their
>> > slogans into foreign languages. The process could use some
>Process
>> > Improvement...<snip>
>> >
>> > When Vicks first introduce its cough drops on the German
>> > market, they were chagrined to learn that the German
>> > pronunciation of "v" is "f," which in German is the guttural
>> > equivalent of "sexual penetration."
>> >
>> > Not to be outdone, Puffs tissues tried later to introduce
>> > its product, only to learn that "Puff" in German is a
>> > colloquial term for a whorehouse.
>> <snip>
>> > Can any of our non-American listers verify these for us?
>> > See you on the Funway! Rick Feibusch - Venice, CA
>> >
>> Yes, Rick
>>
>> "Fick" in German is the equivalent of the English "F" word
>that
>> means exactly what you said it does. Vicks is now spelled "Wicks"
>in
>> Germany.
>>
>> You are right about "Puff" as well. Prostitution is legal
>in
>> Germany (although there are illegal "Puffs" as I imagine they are
>more
>> profitable).
>> I was driving past the legal one in Heidleberg last summer
>in my
>> MGB (OLBCC) and there was a truck parked in front. The driver and
>his
>> helper were unloading PALLETS of paper towels (yes, plural -
>pallets).
>> Don't know what brand they were, and, no, I don't know the answer to
>the
>> obvious question.
>>
>> "Jay"
>> 1971 MGB (BRG, no PO)
>> AMGBA #78-568
>> MG Car Club Deutschland, e.V.
>
>Not sure whether I need something explained here or whether I can
>explain.
>
>A 'pallet' in the UK is a wooden tray that has goods stacked upon it
>for the
>purposes of transporation. The pallet is designed to be picked up and
>moved
>around by a fork-lift truck together with its contents.
>
>PaulH.
Means the same in the US, Paul.
I think Jay meant that the "house" was using a hell of a lot of paper
towels.
When we get a pallet of paper towels in the store, there are about 20
cases per pallet and 30 rolls per case.
Rick Morrison
72 MGBGT
74 Midget
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