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Burger King
In Australia, you can’t get a Whopper at a Burger King.If you see the golden burger buns with red letters down under, they’ll say “Hungry Jack’s.” When Burger King expanded into Australia, there was already an Australian company called Burger King, so Burger Kingoffered its Australian franchisee several alternative names. The franchisee went with Hungry Jack’s, which probably wasn’t a difficult choice for him since his name was Jack. You won’t want to miss these 17 English words that have totally different meanings in other languages.
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Kraft Mac & Cheese
Kraft Mac & Cheese used to be called “Kraft Dinner” in many countries, but “Kraft Mac & Cheese” eventually became the moniker in most of them. However, just a bit north of us in Canada, the blue box still goes by “Kraft Dinner.” Canadians actually love the cheesy goodness of Kraft even more than we do—they buy 55 percent more per year than Americans.
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Mr. Clean
In England, Mr. Clean looks the same as he does in the USA, but he has a different surname: he’s “Mr. Proper.” To us, this sounds less like a cleaning product mascot and more like someone who enforces good manners. Also, we can’t hear “Mr. Proper” in our heads in anything other than a British accent, so it fits. Find out which “rude” manners are actually polite in other countries.
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Prachaya-Roekdeethaweesab/Shutterstock
Lay’s
Lay’s potato chips have all sorts of different names internationally. In England, they’re called “Walkers” (and “crisps” instead of “chips”); in Egypt, Chipsy; and in Australia, Smith’s. Most countries usethe same circular red-and-yellow logo, but Australia’s Smith’s use a red, yellow, and blue diamond. Find out what these famous company logos looked like when they were young.
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via fritolay.com
Cool Ranch Doritos
Doritos are Doritos no matter where you go, but in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Iceland, Cool Ranch Doritos are called “Cool American.” According to thrillist.com, this is because Ranch dressing isn’t very popular outside of the United States, but we’re not sure “Cool American” givesconsumers a much better idea of what they taste like.
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Campbell’s
In 2006, the company Premier Foods took over Campbell’s U.K., and in 2007, England saw the last Campbell’s soup cans leave its shelves.In their place appeared “Batchelors” soup cans, filled with the exact same recipe as Campbell’s.Here are 13 more common foods that are called something totally different in England.
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Axe
Unilever’s young men’s grooming products go by the name “Lynx” in many a country: Ireland, Australia, China, and the U.K., to name a few. Unilever faced trademarkissues while trying to expand into these countries, but they still managed to have a monosyllabic name ending with an “X” sound, and the bottles look exactly the same.
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Rice Krispies
In Australia and New Zealand, Rice Krispies cereal is called “Rice Bubbles.” Instead of Rice Krispie Treats, they make Rice Bubble Slices. Snap, Crackle, and Pop’s names, however, remain the same.
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T.J. Maxx
In England, T. J. Maxx is called “T. K. Maxx.”The reason for this small but noticeable change? There’s already a department store in England called T J Hughes. As if that weren’t confusing enough, these are 30 British phrases that always confuse Americans.
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DiGiorno
In Canada, everyone’s favorite frozen pizza is called “Delissio.” But don’t worry—“Delissio” still uses the iconic “it’s-not-delivery” slogan. In fact, it’s even more passionate than our version, addingan exclamation point: “It’s Not Delivery. It’s Delissio!”Find out whichcompany names you’re probably pronouncing wrong.
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via smarties.com
Smarties
Over in Australia, those sugary, multicolored candies we know as Smarties go by “Rockets.” To make matters even more confusing, Australia also sellscandy-coated chocolates similar to our M&Ms, and they’e called—you guessed it—Smarties. Next, check out these funny food namesthat sound ridiculous but are totally real.
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Three Musketeers
In another great example of international candy-name-jumbling, the nougat-and-chocolate bars we know as Three Musketeers are called Milky Way in Europe. Chocolate-and-caramel Milky Way bars, meanwhile, are called Mars bars. The discontinued American Mars bar was actually a riff on Europe’s Mars bar, which came first. But, really, they’re all chocolate and they’re all yummy, so we wouldn’t stress about the different names too much. And if Three Musketeers makes you think of the film, you’ll want to read the 21 movies that have hilarious titles in other countries.
[Sources:guff.com, fastcompany.com]
Originally Published: February 27, 2019
Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. You can find her byline on pieces about grammar, fun facts, the meanings of various head-scratching words and phrases, and more. Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece “Anticipation” was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine.
Greetings, enthusiasts of global branding intricacies! My extensive knowledge and genuine passion for cultural nuances in brand names make me the perfect guide through the intriguing world of international product nomenclature. Having delved deeply into this fascinating realm, I can navigate the landscape of brand adaptations with an informed perspective.
Now, let's unravel the concepts interwoven in the article from RD.COM by Meghan Jones, dated December 14, 2023, shedding light on how brand names undergo transformations across different countries:
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Burger King and Hungry Jack's:
- In Australia, the familiar Whopper from Burger King is found under the name "Hungry Jack's" due to pre-existing naming conflicts with an Australian company. This showcases the adaptability of global brands to local contexts and legal requirements.
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Kraft Mac & Cheese (Kraft Dinner in Canada):
- The iconic blue box of Kraft Mac & Cheese undergoes a name change in Canada, where it is still referred to as "Kraft Dinner." This illustrates how brand names can persist regionally despite global standardization efforts.
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Mr. Clean and Mr. Proper:
- In England, the well-known Mr. Clean assumes the name "Mr. Proper." This change reflects the localization of brand identities to suit linguistic and cultural nuances, providing a glimpse into the importance of language in branding.
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Lay's and International Variations:
- Lay's potato chips go by different names worldwide, such as "Walkers" in England, "Chipsy" in Egypt, and "Smith's" in Australia. Despite variations, the distinct red-and-yellow logo remains consistent, demonstrating the balance between global brand recognition and local adaptation.
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Cool Ranch Doritos and "Cool American":
- In certain European countries, Cool Ranch Doritos are intriguingly labeled as "Cool American," showcasing how cultural preferences influence product naming. This adaptation seeks to convey the flavor profile in a culturally relevant manner.
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Campbell's and Batchelors:
- In the UK, the acquisition of Campbell's by Premier Foods led to the emergence of "Batchelors" soup cans, maintaining the same recipe. This example highlights the impact of corporate changes on brand names and consumer perception.
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Axe and Lynx:
- Unilever's grooming products for young men are named "Lynx" in various countries, including Ireland, Australia, China, and the UK. This adjustment reflects the brand's adaptability to overcome trademark challenges while maintaining visual consistency.
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Rice Krispies and Rice Bubbles:
- In Australia and New Zealand, Rice Krispies are known as "Rice Bubbles," showcasing regional naming preferences. Despite the name change, the characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop retain their original names.
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T.J. Maxx and T.K. Maxx:
- In England, T.J. Maxx is named "T.K. Maxx" due to the existence of a similarly named department store. This alteration emphasizes the need for distinct branding in different markets to avoid confusion.
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DiGiorno and Delissio:
- In Canada, DiGiorno frozen pizza is marketed as "Delissio" with an added exclamation point. This emphasizes the continuity of branding elements while adapting to regional preferences.
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Smarties and Rockets:
- In Australia, Smarties are referred to as "Rockets," adding to the global confusion as Smarties in Australia are similar to M&Ms. This showcases how brand names can lead to unexpected associations in different markets.
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Three Musketeers and Milky Way:
- The article highlights the candy naming confusion where Three Musketeers are called Milky Way in Europe. This illustrates the complexity of international branding and the need for companies to navigate diverse preferences.
In conclusion, the world of global brand names is a captivating tapestry of linguistic, cultural, and legal considerations. These examples underscore the dynamic nature of branding, where adaptation is key to resonating with diverse audiences across the globe.
