Aug 18, 2005 09:28
18 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term
Denmark
the message, not just the words
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: Danish to English, English
screwolusion or screwolution
English
Marketing
Mechanics / Mech Engineering
client's invented term
Hi folks
Paradoxically, I'm hoping this will NOT bring in a lot of brilliant translations ;-)
The client is asking whether it has unfortunate associations or could be misunderstood.
It's a word the client has invented and wants to use as a caption etc. in marketing to mean a revolution in screws, i.e. that theirs are much easier to use and better than everybody else's.
I prefer the 'screwolution' version personally. The 's' version is just meaningless to me, while the other could just include 'solution' as well as revolution.
Given that so much marketing just ends in the bin anyway, has anyone any comments?
I hope this isn't an utter waste of everyone's time!
Paradoxically, I'm hoping this will NOT bring in a lot of brilliant translations ;-)
The client is asking whether it has unfortunate associations or could be misunderstood.
It's a word the client has invented and wants to use as a caption etc. in marketing to mean a revolution in screws, i.e. that theirs are much easier to use and better than everybody else's.
I prefer the 'screwolution' version personally. The 's' version is just meaningless to me, while the other could just include 'solution' as well as revolution.
Given that so much marketing just ends in the bin anyway, has anyone any comments?
I hope this isn't an utter waste of everyone's time!
Responses
| 2 +7 | Yes, it does |
Jack Doughty
|
| 3 +2 | keep looking |
David Sirett
|
| 2 +2 | screwvolution |
Nick Lingris
|
| 3 +1 | screw-solution |
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
|
| 3 | screwolution |
Michele Fauble
|
Responses
+7
9 mins
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Translator since 1953
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
143
Selected
Yes, it does
Obviously it has unfortunate associations and could be misunderstood!
I won't go into detail as to how...
If they must use "screw" ambiguously, how about "We screw the opposition"?
I won't go into detail as to how...
If they must use "screw" ambiguously, how about "We screw the opposition"?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Brandis (X)
: yes, without further explanation it would lead to misunderstanding
5 mins
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
Tony M
14 mins
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
Mark Nathan
51 mins
|
|
Thank you.
|
|
| agree |
flipendo
: Indeed, "screw" can draw a number of, say, "unclear insinuations"
3 hrs
|
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Thank you.
|
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| agree |
Can Altinbay
: I'm afraid anything involving "screw" would be unfortunate for the reasons my colleagues have given.//It's not so much offensive as the image that comes to mind.
6 hrs
|
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Thank you. In general I agree, but there are some slang uses of "screw" which are less offensive than others.
|
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| agree |
Saiwai Translation Services
13 hrs
|
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Thank you.
|
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
1 day 8 hrs
|
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Thank you.
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "good points there... Thanks!"
9 mins
Michele Fauble
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
Native English
Native in: English
Works in: Norwegian to English, Danish to English, Swedish to English
screwolution
'Screwolution' if you have to use it. Aside from any snickers the term is apt to occasion, I find it visually very ugly. Not the type of word I'd use to promote a product.
+2
10 mins
Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The word is my oyster
Native in: Greek
Works in: English to Greek, Greek to English, Greek
Related KudoZ points
:
8
screwvolution
First impressions:
Screwolusion is a no-no, IMO.
Screwolution does not make me think of either 'solution' or 'revolution'.
'Screwvolution' might make me think of 'revolution'.
But the whole thing is screwy, always IMHO.
Screwolusion is a no-no, IMO.
Screwolution does not make me think of either 'solution' or 'revolution'.
'Screwvolution' might make me think of 'revolution'.
But the whole thing is screwy, always IMHO.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jack Doughty
: that the whole thing is screwy.
9 mins
|
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That's the gist of it all.
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| agree |
Tony M
: NAUGHTY Nick! ;-) // I was thinking of paraphrasing that famous advertising slogan "Come screw with us..." (with appropriate music, natch!)
13 mins
|
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No, no, no. You're not getting away that easy. I want to see you post your own comments on this! // How about "Our screws are irresistible!" ? :-}
|
+2
24 mins
keep looking
'Screwolusion' brings to mind delusion and illusion--not very positive.
'Screwolution', as others have said, is ugly, and doesn't immediately evoke 'revolution'. IMO it would have negative rather than positive impact, coming across as awkward rather than clever.
There is some room for word play on screw, revolution, turn, etc., but your client's proposals are not usable.
'Screwolution', as others have said, is ugly, and doesn't immediately evoke 'revolution'. IMO it would have negative rather than positive impact, coming across as awkward rather than clever.
There is some room for word play on screw, revolution, turn, etc., but your client's proposals are not usable.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Sven Petersson
5 mins
|
| agree |
Tony M
: In all honesty, I think you're right...
38 mins
|
+1
14 mins
screw-solution
This sound better maybe because screwolution is a difficult word. Screw is ambigious of course so it's tricky.
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Note added at 1 hr 20 mins (2005-08-18 10:49:15 GMT)
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The solution screw
Yikes!
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Note added at 1 hr 20 mins (2005-08-18 10:49:15 GMT)
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The solution screw
Yikes!
Discussion
But many thanks to everyone, and the points go to Jack for getting in first and collecting most agrees.
Thanks for your useful comments - if I get any more feedback I'll let you know, but don't bank on it! I bet the client just tries to forget all about it or find something else.
I'm feeling a bit stressed today ("between computers" and Trados is down...)
The client has, not surprisingly, dropped screwolusion...
Sorry Dusty, no comments on what type of screws, though that might otherwise open up for better suggestions!