Overcompensating

Poststructural Pub
1

This is old news, but I’m not sure if the U.S.
press has picked up on it. I heard of it on a
BBC technology podcast.

Venezuela has introduced a new cell phone
which is produced by the government, so it
only costs $15. Here’s the good part: they
called it “Vergatorio”. The name is a super-
lative form of “Verga” which is a slang word
in Venezuela for male genitalia. So, basically
it’s like selling a phone called the “Enormous
Member”. I don’t think that’d get past the
spam filters: “Come into Verizon today and
get an Enormous Member for only $15!”

When Chavez himself introduced the phone
at a press conferences, he quipped, “Whoever
doesn’t have a Vergatario is nothing.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/chavez-venezuela-mobile-phone-vergatorio

NOTE: Please note that this is not the PROCT
forum. Keep it apolitical, if you’d be so kind.

2

I suppose “Schlongzilla” would be an equivalent here in the States.

I imagine that this phone has proved very fertile ground for jokes and double entendres.

3

Does it come in a protective rubber case?

4

I’d buy that phone.

I imagine that this phone has proved very fertile …

Tee hee.

A red one. “The color of the government”.
How great is that?

5

Remember, only engage in safe text.

6

Let me guess: Replacement batteries will be stamped with the name “Viagra”.

7

I’ve just read the link.

…and vergatario is a newly minted word which signifies excellent but retains connotations from its root.

“Root”?? Now tell me that was not an intentional pun. I dare you.

But in searching for equivalents in Yank slang, “Schlongzilla” won’t quite do for “excellent” right off the bat. Perhaps “Woodworthy”, instead.

8

Only on a triple dog dare.

9

“Toolerific”?
“Peterbuilt”?
“Schmuckers”?

10

Eh, not so much with the “Toolerific” and “Schmuckers”. Pre-existing negative connotations make them semiotically awkward, I think. But the second one: “Dude. That is so Peterbuilt.” …Yeah.

You’d see 'em over at Engrish.com by the name “Dorky”.

11

“With a name like Schmuckers, it has to be good!”

12

I hear the available earbuds are the dog’s bollocks.

13

Excuse me. I think my phone is jammed.

Ew. You had to say that, didn’t you.

14

If that bothered you, you might not want to think about the results of using speed-dial #1 or #2 on that phone…

15

Buddy, you are talking to one of the most tech-lame people on the planet. I don’t speed-dial, so my imagination is left with nothing to consider. Yes, it’s shocking but true: Nano doesn’t speed-dial. Envision me sitting here in front of my screen, shoulders shrugged, palms up, and eyebrows squinched together, 'cause that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I’ll go sit in a corner later.

16

Got yer laptop with you in the loo, eh?

17

nope…I’m not explainin’ it to him :puppyeyes:


18

Since this is a government company does that mean Hugo is the Vergatorio Head?

19



Oh. Speed-dial #1 and #2. Har har.

20

Would I be correct in assuming the only call signal is vibration mode?