Lost in Translation: Japanese Marketing that would fail in the US

Calpis – This is absolutely my favorite new soda in Japan. It reminds me of a white Sobe, but carbonated and a little bit sweeter. You can also buy it non carbonated. 

However, no matter how tasty, every time you ask for this, as an English speaker, you can't help but snicker to yourself. The pronunciation for this product would not work at all in the US.  

If you are still not getting it, let me spell it out for you….it sounds like “cow piss”. And the ad below, makes it even more hilarious: "Fill the world with _____". 

So no matter how you try to say it, that’s what you get. The name would have to be changed if they wanted to sell it mainstream in the US. And oh how i wish they would! It is sooooo good!