Jayruss 0 #1 October 23, 2003 clicky Embarrassed GM to Rename Car With Risque Overtones Wed Oct 22,10:46 PM ET MAKUHARI, Japan (Reuters) - General Motors Corp will rename its Buick LaCrosse in Canada because the name for the car is slang for masturbation in Quebec, embarrassed officials with the U.S. automaker said on Thursday. GM officials, who declined to be named, said it had been unaware that LaCrosse was a term for self-gratification among teenagers in French-speaking Quebec. GM officials in Canada are working on a new name for the car, a sedan that will go on sale next year to replace the Buick Regal. The mix-up is reminiscent of another GM vehicle with an unfortunate name. In the 1970s, GM exported its Chevrolet Nova to Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, only to be told that Nova translated into "doesn't go". Despite the name, and contrary to popular folklore, the car sold well. __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #2 October 23, 2003 Perhaps they would like Gatito Muerto instead.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #3 October 23, 2003 What a bunch of jerk-offs... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #4 October 23, 2003 Hey, I played lacrosse, er, "masturbation" in high school, but it didn't feel the same. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #5 October 23, 2003 QuoteWhat a bunch of jerk-offs... What? The cars? Yeah, what's in a name anyway?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #6 October 23, 2003 What, a game played with stick and balls with the ultimate object to score more than the others? Sounds like college, doesn't it??? My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #7 October 23, 2003 So...that car will come with a complementary tube of hand lotion and a box of tissues?__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jayruss 0 #8 October 23, 2003 QuoteSo...that car will come with a complementary tube of hand lotion and a box of tissues? and comes with various attachments for the stick shift on the standard transmission __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #9 October 23, 2003 I remember when in either the 60s or 70s, the Chevrolet marketing campaign for the Chevy Nova in Mexico and South America was such an abysmal failure. Seems Nova in Spanish means something similar to "won't run". Can any Spanish speakers out there confirm this?The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #10 October 23, 2003 I hope it includes heated seats also. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #11 October 23, 2003 QuoteI remember when in either the 60s or 70s, the Chevrolet marketing campaign for the Chevy Nova in Mexico and South America was such an abysmal failure. Seems Nova in Spanish means something similar to "won't run". Can any Spanish speakers out there confirm this? Ummm....I believe that's confirmed in the original post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #12 October 23, 2003 Or maybe it's like Mr. Garrison's parody of IT (the vehicle he invented to get back at the airlines). -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #13 October 23, 2003 QuoteQuoteI remember when in either the 60s or 70s, the Chevrolet marketing campaign for the Chevy Nova in Mexico and South America was such an abysmal failure. Seems Nova in Spanish means something similar to "won't run". Can any Spanish speakers out there confirm this? Ummm....I believe that's confirmed in the original post. Damn if it isn't, well, gimmie another Jack 'N Coke.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #14 October 23, 2003 QuoteOr maybe it's like Mr. Garrison's parody of IT (the vehicle he invented to get back at the airlines). Oh shit...that was hilarious. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #15 October 23, 2003 The spanish verb "Var" means "To go", the conjugate "Va" means He/She/It goes. Therefore No Va = Doesn't Go Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #16 October 23, 2003 BZZZZZZT I haven't seen a snopes reference in too long... Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #17 October 23, 2003 QuoteThe spanish verb "Var" means "To go", the conjugate "Va" means He/She/It goes. Therefore No Va = Doesn't Go Thanks Casch, maybe at least I got a small Spanish lesson out of thisThe older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ypelchat 0 #18 October 23, 2003 Quoteclicky Embarrassed GM to Rename Car With Risque Overtones Wed Oct 22,10:46 PM ET MAKUHARI, Japan (Reuters) - General Motors Corp will rename its Buick LaCrosse in Canada because the name for the car is slang for masturbation in Quebec, embarrassed officials with the U.S. automaker said on Thursday. GM officials, who declined to be named, said it had been unaware that LaCrosse was a term for self-gratification among teenagers in French-speaking Quebec. GM officials in Canada are working on a new name for the car, a sedan that will go on sale next year to replace the Buick Regal. The mix-up is reminiscent of another GM vehicle with an unfortunate name. In the 1970s, GM exported its Chevrolet Nova to Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, only to be told that Nova translated into "doesn't go". Despite the name, and contrary to popular folklore, the car sold well. Well, it's funny actually! I think GM overreacted a bit on this. Yes, the expression "La Crosse " means "to masturbate", but it's not the only way the word is used here. La crosse also means "To get ripped off" or "to swindle" or "to cheat", which is worse IMHO. "La Crosse" is also the name of a game played with a ball and a stick (named Crosse) that has a small basket at the end. This game is played like a hockey game. Yves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jayruss 0 #19 October 23, 2003 Quote I think GM overreacted a bit on this. Yes, the expression "La Crosse " means "to masturbate", but it's not the only way the word is used here. La crosse also means "To get ripped off" or "to swindle" or "to cheat", which is worse IMHO. Yves. well ripped off, swindle are all synonymous with GM so they couldn't really overact about those __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #20 October 23, 2003 Quote BZZZZZZT I haven't seen a snopes reference in too long... Wendy W. Well, another good story dashed on the rocks. Anyway, good information. Thanks Wendy, snopes looks like a good time consumerThe older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #21 October 23, 2003 Um, I stand corrected by WMW999, here is the actual verb and conjugations I think the Spanish verb is "ir," with its present conjugation being: yo voy tu vas el va nosotros vamos vosotros ??? ellos van insert accents at random. But in Spanish, one would say "Yo quiero ir a Taco Bell" with "ir" being the name of the verb. But yeah, it still means No go, I just got the "to go" and "to see" verbs mixed up, Ver is to see...think lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #22 October 24, 2003 Quotewell ripped off, swindle are all synonymous with GM Ain't that the truth, with the shit they put out for cars. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #23 October 24, 2003 you forgot to conjugate your verb in your statement.... "Yo quiero ir a Taco Bell" - sounds like gringoesse to me yo quiero voy a taco bell - i believe, but then again it's been a long time since spanish classes. so i'm probably messing part of the syntax up too. matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #24 October 24, 2003 When you put the "I want" (quiero, the Yo isn't necessary but you can use it if you want), you don't have to conjugate the verb. Otherwise you would be saying "I want I go to Taco Bell" Yo quiero ir a Taco Bell = I want to go to Taco Bell Wmw999, please correct me if I'm wrong ...seriously haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #25 October 24, 2003 Quoteplease correct me if I'm wro Absolutively right. I was trying to remember the name for that tense last night, and it's the infinitive. The active verb in that sentence is querer, which ends up as quiero. Ir just helps it do its job. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
