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
Monitor OSD Quick Guide: (Some of) The ins and outs
So you've got a Zune...now what?
So you got an iPhone, now what?
Post-Christmas Wireless-N routers explained
How to buy a Bluetooth headset
Apple owns iSlate.com--the mystery deepens
Fleximus camera perfect for plumbers
Friday Poll: What do you most want to see in 2010?
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
advertisement
advertisement

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

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.