Article: Console name no laughing matter.

Byline: Kanako Takahara

Dec. 3--When it comes to product names, Japanese companies sometimes come up with ideas that draw snickers from English speakers.

Nintendo Co.'s new video game console, the Wii, which hit stores in Japan on Saturday, may be the latest that has a humorous connotation to Westerners -- in this case "wee."

But of course, Nintendo officials say that was not their intention.

"Wii comes from the English word 'we' in hopes that many people will enjoy playing it together, rather than just one" person playing alone, said Yuka Tanegashima, a Nintendo spokeswoman. "Each 'i' in Wii represents a person and the two 'i's ...

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