Are you ready for another mobile-payment startup developed by a 22-year-old? Meet Clinkle, which recently raised $25 million and whose story – including the name story – remains something of a public mystery. According to a New York Times report, “It involves a payment app that will work on smartphones and be tied to any existing credit card and bank account.” As one Times commenter observed, “Clinkle sounds just like pinkel, which means ‘to pee’ in Yiddish as well as in German.” (Actually, “Clinkle” only rhymes with “pinkel,” but the mention reminded me of a post I wrote about the unfortunately named PinkelStar.) My Twitter pal Andrew Nahem (@LowDudgeon) said Clinkle reminded him of “a tiny, adorable jail.” Am I the only one thinking of “Hogan’s Heroes”?
UPDATE: More on Clinkle at TechCrunch.*
Wondering about the pronunciation of Qsymia, the first new prescription diet drug in 13 years? It’s Kyoo-sim-EE-ah. You’re welcome. Or gesundheit. Sales of the drug have been “minuscule,” the New York Times reports, citing a “horribly botched” introduction, lack of insurance reimbursement, safety concerns, and – oh, yeah – the fact that it doesn’t work very well.
*
Two huge publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, have become one huger publishing company. The new name? Let’s just call it a missed opportunity.
YOU HAD ONE JOB RT @Slate: Random House / Penguin officially blows chance to become Random Penguin: https://t.co/FGtm41rC3x
— Kim Bhasin (@KimBhasin) July 1, 2013
Also rejected: Randy Penguin.
*
Unlike notebook-maker Moleskine, the international skincare brand L’Occitane prefers a single pronunciation of its name. But the company doesn’t mind sharing customers’ failed attempts. (“Low-octane?” “Locky-tan”?)
*
Steinway Musical Instruments agreed this week to be acquired by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Co. for about $438 million. What caught my attention was Steinway’s ticker symbol: LVB. Give up? Ludwig van Beethoven. (More on ticker symbols here.)
*
Happy Independence Day to my fellow USians! I’m declaring a little independence myself; see you on Monday.
Comments