NEW YORK - It's all in the name. General Motors Corp. has scrapped
plans to replace the Buick Regal with the Buick LaCrosse in Canada
because in the French-speaking province of Quebec "lacrosse" means
to masturbate. Among other things. GM Canada spokesman Stew Low
told the La Crosse Tribune in Wisconsin last Friday that in Quebec
youth culture the word is a new slang term
"(It) means a couple of things, either to masturbate or 'I just got
screwed,' or 'I just got taken'" Low told the newspaper in
Saturday's copyright editions. "People of our age wouldn't even
think twice about (the word.)"
He told the paper he first learned of the new slang usage about six
weeks ago. In organized focus groups in Quebec, young participants
giggled when they heard the named of the new car, Low said.
La Crosse Mayor John Medinger said Friday was not aware of the
slang in Canada until the Tribune told him.
"These slang phrases come and go, and hopefully this one won't
stick around too long," Medinger was quoted in the paper.
GM has not said when the Buick LaCrosse will debut. The company
said plans to replace the Buick Regal with the Buick LaCrosse in
the U.S. will continue, but will give the new car a different name
in Canada.