Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Polish Meaning of New Name Embarrasses 'Syfy'

Slang for VD probably not what network had in mind for rebranding

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 20, 2009 3:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – The much-maligned rebranding of the channel formerly known as Sci-Fi has yielded another embarrassment for the network. “Syfy”—the new name—is Polish slang for syphilis, Broadcasting & Cable reports. Native Poles, however, may be less offended by the name change than hard-core fans: Polish embassy officials say “Syfy” is also a shortening of “science fiction” in Polish ... just like “Sci-Fi.”

The new logo of the Sci-Fi channel.
The new logo of the Sci-Fi channel.   (Sci-Fi Channel)
In this file image released by Sci-Fi Channel, Katee Sackhoff is shown in a scene from Battlestar Galactica.
In this file image released by Sci-Fi Channel, Katee Sackhoff is shown in a scene from "Battlestar Galactica."   (AP Photo/SCI FI Channel, Carole Segal, FILE)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Riffran
Mar 21, 2009 5:34 AM CDT
"GOWNO"......ROFL.....THAT WAS A GOOD ONE!!....I thought Janeway kicked serious butt....the borg caught hell...and Seven of nine wasn't hard to look at either
DavoMax
Mar 21, 2009 3:02 AM CDT
Picard clumsily used what little knowledge he managed to retain from Captain James T. Kirk
Robert_Dada
Mar 20, 2009 11:34 AM CDT
Should have named it GÓWNO
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne