Not Your Mamas Panty Hose or how to fail in translation

So, I recently bought this.

And of course ‼️occupational hazard alert‼️ I started thinking about the product name and presentation.

And why nymph?

And why the dots?

And is it the word?

Or is it an acronym?

And if it is, what does it stand for?

So, of course, I researched it, again occupation hazard, non-stop translator hat on mode, and I found out the following 👇

"First she stole our hearts with her iconic lip pigments, then with her phenomenal palettes and internet-breaking foundation and now were head over heels for Hudas all-over highlighter too! N.Y.M.P.H (Not Your Mamas Panty Hose) is summer glow essential in any make up mavens beauty kit granting an oh-so radiant, sun-kissed shimmer in three flawless shades, this water-based formula can be applied to both your face and body for a water and transfer-resistant glow."

✨ Great! It's an acronym that means something as a word itself, plus each letter represents a word, AND to top it up, it's essential to how the product works and what it does. Amazing! Well-done to this copywriter. ✨

But my God, how would anyone say 💥Not Your Mamas Panty Hose💥 in another language and still make it spell out nymph 😅 - mission impossible!

So what to do? Solutions?

Keep nymph in English - translate the rest (Not Your Mamas Panty Hose)

Lose something, win something

Keep it all in English

Lose a lot assuming they just won't get it

Try and be above and beyond and come up with something entirely different and you may have just ruined an entire beauty line. Congratulations!

Sometimes, it's just not possible.

And that's OK.

But please, don't tell me ever this job is easy - unless you tried it!

#copywriting #creativetranslation #beauty #productpackaging

UPDATED 5 May 2025

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Vasiliki is a translator, interpreter, transcreator, blogger, consultant and director of Greek to Me Translations Ltd. She works with English, Greek and French herself and has a team of trusted colleagues who can cover other languages. The offered language services serve mainly the legal, creative, marketing & advertising, fashion and media industries, including voiceover direction.

Greek to Me translations are official and certified for Greece, Cyprus, UK, Spain, Ireland, France, and EU countries, the English speaking world including the US and Canada.

Vasiliki is a Chartered Linguist, member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). She is registered with the Greek Consulate in the United Kingdom as a certified translator and interpreter.

She holds a BA in English Language and Linguistics and Masters in Business Translation and Interpreting. As Member of Council to the CIOL and Board Member of the IoL Educational Trust she overseas and supports the organisations' strategic goals.

Being involved in her industry means often delivering public speaking and writing for industry magazines. Her mission is to help organisations and individuals achieve their goals through the power of words. Through The Translators Mentor, Vasiliki helps aspiring or young translators to overcome self-limiting beliefs, build a business mindset and achieve their highest potential.

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