So, last night it was my turn in the barrel. I was assigned to do what we call the "PM cut-ins". Those are the little news blurbs wrapping up the day's market activity that CNBC reporters and anchors do for MSNBC and for our sister networks overseas including Europe, Asia, India and Australia. Yesterday, shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae got spanked.
It was a major story. So, being the fan that I am of puns and alliteration I wrote that, "Shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae took it on the fanny." I thought I was being witty and clever. Well, in a way, perhaps. Because when I got back to my desk I found this email in my inbox from the CNBC producer of "Squawk Box" in Sydney:
"Just a quick point - which we found absolutely hysterical this morning... but in Australia "fannie" means something completely different to what it does in the US.... So your reference to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae getting hit on the fannie was hilarious... I know it means your backside in America, but in Australia it means a woman's front side... if you get what I mean? hahaha!"
I laughed out loud. Couldn't stop laughing, actually. And, of course, I had to share the gaffe with all of my co-workers who also got a huge laugh. Yes, CNBC is "First in Business Worldwide". But when you're a global network, I guess it's wise to play it straight or check with the locals first before getting creative.
Happy Thanksgiving! Go USC Trojans! Beat the Sun Devils!
Questions? Comments? Pharma@cnbc.com