Day: April 5, 2006

We’ve all read the salutary lessons on corporate naming projects. Particularly the famous examples of when certain brand-names have different meanings when translated into different languages.

There are loads of examples.

I think I’ve just spotted my first potential Web 2.0 naming mistake (well in Ireland at any rate).

I pronounce the term Wiki, as Wick-ey. In fact that’s the only way I’ve ever heard it pronounced – though I note Wikipedia does provide alternatives.

Now [via Mike Manuel] SocialText have released a Wiki for mobile devices and they’ve called it Miki.

Now that’s fine unless you pronounce that word Mick-ey. In Ireland (and I think the UK) that’s a slang term for a man’s genitals.

I certainly won’t tell anyone that I’ve been writing on my Miki….

Footnote:
Ross you’re OK it seems it’s an Irish only thing so that’s not a very big deal! There’s some funny comments below, so thanks to Kevin, Philip, Mike and Phil who made me laugh this morning.

Elliot: People can easily differentiate between the slang “Mickey” and Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mantle etc. the usage is quite different!

Feel like you are being far too nice to your PR agency? Do you want to make them toil for your hard earned dollars?

Well there’s loads of great tips being published that give some great ideas on how to be a more grumpy and unpleasant client.

Hot on the footsteps of Morgan’s advice, Topaz Partners have also done some sharing and there’s some great tips on client behavior to avoid from Andy Beaupre.

With a little reading, some preparation and a quick review you can revolutionize the relationship with your agency. It’ll be great craic!

[Light fuse and stand back…]

Footnote:
Thanks to Steve Hodgdon at Beaupre for letting me know I had included the link to the wrong article. That’s taken some of the wind out of my sails….

Andrea Weckerle reports that the Mr. Men and Little Misses series created by Roger Hargreaves is now thirty five years old.