Naming In The News

Venezuela's Prez Offers 'Penis' Phone

MYFOX NATIONAL - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has launched a very inexpensive mobile phone with a very odd name.

Introduced on Sunday, the "Vergatorio" phone features a camera, Internet access, FM radio, and music and video players. And it's priced at about $13.95.

But the name of the phone is causing a stir in the country. According to The Guardian, "'verga' is slang for 'penis' and 'vergatario' is a newly minted word which signifies excellent but retains connotations from its root."

"It's gross. I can't believe they named it something so vulgar," said Leonor Diaz, 52, a cleaner.

Names of phones do seem to matter to consumers. Earlier this year analyst firm Strategic Name Development did a study and found that "when it comes to consumer perception of cell phones product names, good brand naming strategies equal more sales."

But . On his weekly show, he telephoned his mother with the new phone; it was Mother's Day. And reports have stated that the .