• On TechRepublic: 10 cool USB flash drive tricks
October 20, 2006 5:00 AM PDT

To some, Zune is a four-letter word

by Leslie Katz
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 1 comment

Turns out the name of Microsoft's upcoming music player, "Zune," sounds a lot like a Hebrew word--and, um, it ain't shalom. A Macworld article notes that the music player's moniker is taking some Hebrew speakers aback because of its resemblance to the word "zi-yun," which, translated into English, has four letters and starts with an "f."

Hebrew linguists are divided over the name Zune, the article says, with some calling it unacceptable and others saying the one-syllable gadget name is unlikely to be mistaken for the two-syllable obscenity.

Still, you gotta wonder: Is the day coming when people will lob "Zune you!" as an insult?

(Photo: Microsoft)

Leslie Katz, senior editor of CNET's Crave, covers gadgets, games, and most other digital distractions. As a co-host of the CNET News Daily Podcast, she sometimes tries to channel Terry Gross. E-mail Leslie.
Recent posts from Crave
Audio-Technica sets its sights on fashionable females
Digital City No. 58: Apple vs. Psystar; our fave laptop backpack; and New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Vizio's entry-level LCD not especially green, but still a good bargain
When BlackBerry developers play with robots
Microsoft opens app store to more phones
Mad Catz to offer cheaper muliplatform Wireless-N adapter for gaming
Toshiba LCD produces (slightly) deeper black levels
Android in the kitchen
Add a Comment (Log in or register)
[hello} ????!!
by macflash411 October 20, 2006 7:14 AM PDT
You probably can read that. Its in hebrew.
I am learning hebrew and can type it on my computer so i went over to an on
line dictonary and check it out. Yup your right. so no more talking about the
Z*** or somone might get mad. Oy Ve lol
Reply to this comment

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

A CNET Conversation with Eric Schmidt

CNET's Tom Krazit and Molly Wood sit down with Google CEO Eric Schmidt to discuss the future of Android, the Chrome OS, the problem of real-time search indexing, and more.

Verizon tests sending RIAA copyright notices

The No. 2 phone company, known for its reluctance to intervene in antipiracy cases, strikes an agreement to forward copyright notices on behalf of the music industry.