h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Mensa in Spanish means a rather stupid person (female - menso is masculine). It does not mean a society for people who choose to be recognised as particularly smart. "La sociedad mensa" would translate to the "stupid society".

"No va" in Spanish means "doesn't go" or "don't go". This hampered the Chevy "Nova" car sales in Latin America. International marketing effort!

I was once told by a spanish friend that the word 'pajero' actually translates as 'wanker'. Who does the marketing for motor vehicles anyway?

Does anyone care for a ride in my wankermobile?

Likewise, I heard that "pinto" is similarly inappropriate in Brazil. The Ford Pinto probably did not sell well there either.

I suppose if these marketing people are based in the US - This country is not famous for multilinguistic ability, or knowledge of other cultures.

I can't really figure out why Pinto would be a problem... though I can't figure why anyone would name a car after it, either. It makes me think of the Pinto Bean, which is, I believe, what refried beans are usually made with, and consequently is a fairly popular bean in Mexican food restaraunts. I wouldn't name a car after it, as I said, but... hrmmmm... maybe it's something in portugese (which is the official language in Brazil, as opposed to Spanish).

That's right - It means something totally different in Brazilian Portuguese.. But as they say "we shan't go there!" I asked a Brazilian friend what it meant. Think "naughty bits".