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
Polish Meaning of New Name Embarrasses 'Syfy'
The new logo of the Sci-Fi channel.   (Sci-Fi Channel)

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.”
(More science fiction stories.)

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