Here's an odd fact I learned from reading about Vladivostok on wikipedia. The territory has only belonged to Russia since 1860, and prior to that it was Chinese-controlled for centuries. And the historic Chinese name for what is now the city of Vladivostok was Hǎishēnwǎi -- which literally means залив трепанга (морского огурца), or "sea-cucumber bay"!

Without a doubt, Владивосток ("Ruler of the East") sounds a lot more impressive...


Imagine naming a city after these! Interestingly, the Chinese word for these creatures, hǎishēn, means морской женьшень ("sea-ginseng"). Believe me, they taste NOTHING like ginseng! But if the Chinese called it by the more honest description противный большой слизистый бородавчатый морской хер ("big disgusting slimy warty sea-cock"), nobody would eat it.

Good branding is everything!