This is an old one. CREAP. Either way you spell it, are you going to want this in your coffee? This is a non-dairy creamer and it has been around for years. Not too bad actually. 
This is a sports' drink. POCARI SWEAT. I'm afraid my mind starts imagining what a POCARI might be and do I really want to drink its sweat? I have been known though to push the POCARI SWEAT button on the vending machine in a pinch.
This one looks innocuous enough. CALPIS. Say it quickly a few times. Doesn't that sound a lot like what cattle do when they relieve themselves? This is a sweet milky yogurt based drink that is very refreshing and has made a big hit in Japan. It is even available in some American markets, but U.S. marketing changed its name to CALPICO. I'm sure this is a great example of how naming affects sales and so forth. Hot CALPIS? No way!!!
I've never ridden around in this but for such a nice looking car I think the name could have been given more consideration. This is an ALPHARD. This is another word that my strange mind mulls over and comes up with other images. Say this one too a few times quickly. And no, you'll not hear me announcing this to the world after eating a pot of beans!So sorry about that.
And now to my own pictures. This is what stopped me in the supermarket. A HOMO SAUSAGE. Oh, please!!! Is this edible? and for whom? It is a fish sausage (and even without the naming I've never found a desire to buy one of these), strangely pink and even more strangely wrapped in bright red plastic. Oh, be brave, Tanya.
So I bought it. And I brought it home. And I opened it. And the cats came flying from all directions! And I tasted it."No thank you. If you cats want it you may have it!"
Think piranha here! That HOMO SAUSAGE was the highlight of their lives! Gone in three seconds flat! I risked my fingers even trying to save a bite for Choco.I've always thought I could make a lot of money offering my services in the marketing world in Japan. Somebody needs to look over these things before they go out on the market!
22 comments:
I love reading your blog and experancing a slice of life in Japan. I also enjoyed seeing your quilt group and the quilts from your visitor. Your quilts are also very beautiful. I want to make one of the Lazy Gal style quilts sometime soon.
Keep bloging....Marj
You had me sitting here laughing aloud! Goodness me the mind does boggles at some of those names, & products! Especially that sausage!
I too love reading about life in Japan. I have learned quite a lot just by reading your blog. I have always had the impression that Japan was pretty much like America in everyday life and amenities but I see that is not always so. I love your pictures of the cities and surrounding areas of Japan. Also enjoy all the cultural experiences you share with us.
I also love all the handwork you do on your quilts. Thanks so much for sharing all you do in your blog
Oh! This was funny. My daughter and I laughed and laughed. And the photo of your cats with their eyes locked on to the homo sausage is priceless. Thank you for the look into the Japanese marketing world. I wonder what products we have in the states that the Japanese would find hilarious? I love your blog!
Haha! This is great. I loved your comments and the products themselves are priceless. The color of that Homo Sausage is just disgusting! I am sure the cats don't mind though.
This all reminds me of the story (I have heard it many times but don't know if it is absolutely true) that the American car called the Pinto was badly named because in spanish it means "doesn't go". Or maybe it was a very apt name!
Great blog!
It's a good thing your cats can't read. They definitely have their eyes on the prize.
Things are sure different in Japan. And, yes, I think some big Japanese marketing firm should be paying you a big fat salary to keep them from sticking such goofy names on products. But, then you wouldn't have nearly as much fun in the grocery store.
I was so hard, but the pics of the cats and the Homo Sausage was priceless. I remember years ago when I lived in Colma, CA (San Francisco Bay Area). Colma was very, very quite, not big. Why? All the cemetary's were located there. I remember having a bumpter sticker on my car----It's Great To Be Alive in Colma!
Rae Ann
The names are certainly unusual, I have to agree with that. I think you have a great idea in helping them with marketing!
I got quite a laugh from this post. And, I have to say that even excluding the name, the strangest thing was the fish sausage. Fish and sausage should never be uttered in the same breath. Unless you're a cat, I guess. I love the look on the cat's faces, especially the one on the right. "Give it to me. TO. ME. NOW."
You found some good ones! I live in a very multi-cultural city, and some of the store signs are very entertaining! I often wonder what some American food names sound like to foreigners--"submarine sandwich" and "hot dog" for example. Translations are also amusing. The Chevy Nova was a dud in Mexico because "no va" means "no go"!
Thanks for taking us shopping with you!! And the cats do look piranha-like, don't they? :-)
One of our great joys on holidays abroad is to go round the supermarkets chortling at the weird names of the products. Oh to be able to visit Japan, what fun we'd have.
I enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks.
It is obvious to me that in Japan products get their names from Word Verifications!
You made me laugh very loudly out loud over the whole sausage thing. Yes, you could probably hire yourself out helping the Japanese find better names for things. I wonder who is in charge of that sort of thing! Well at least the cats had a good meal. Thanks for the laugh.
All I can say is 'oh my goodness'!!! So glad the cats loved the special treat their mother brought home for them!!
As soon as I saw this I wondered if Pocari Sweat would make your list. We were in Japan 4 years ago and the whole family got a big laugh out of that one. Thanks for the fun post.
OH my! That is soooo funny!! What I wouldn't give to have one of those sausages to "show off" here. LOL.
So very funny!! Thanks for the good laugh.
Those cats sure got a treat, didn't they! What a great picture. I got quite a chuckle out of the story.
OMG ! That was SO funny! I got a great little chuckle out of this post!
Sam in Middle TN
Have you ever looked at www.engrish.com? Lots of funny photos with products named in words that are funny in English. You should send yours in to them. Maybe they have already seen your products. I so enjoy your blog.
Great post!
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