In Latvian "Vista" means "fowl", M$ not amused
Sometimes you just can't hide the truth...lol

Looks like the word "Vista" means "fowl" in Latvian. It sure is gonna be a tough sell in that country...

by Aija Lulle Thu Sep 7, 6:29 AM ET

RIGA (AFP) - As global software giant Microsoft proudly previewed its Windows Vista operating system, in the small Baltic nation of Latvia, people were clutching their sides about the system's name -- which means 'fowl' in Latvian.

Worse still, it's a slang term for a frumpy woman.

"Everybody in my office bursts out laughing whenever I start talking about the new operating system," 26-year-old customer assistance manager Zanis, who works in the Latvian capital, Riga, told AFP.

"Sure, the Microsoft people in the US cant be expected to understand all languages, but this really is funny," he said.

Arvis, an IT manager of a chain of casinos in Riga, was also chuckling about Microsoft Frump. Or Fowl. No, make that Vista.

But, in an odd sort of way, he thinks the off-target name has hit the mark in Latvia.

"My people giggle about 'Vista', but I think it is positive because there are not many computer-related things that make you laugh," he said.

At Microsoft Latvia, they have opted to play up Vista's positive aspects and point energetically to the more poetic, international definition of the name.

Read all about it here, courtesy of NewsYahoo.com:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060907/tc_afp/usitsoftwarecompanymicrosoftlatvialanguageoffbeat

-Eric