Pancake Chain IHOP Soon to Become IHOB! Nothing New for Arab Speakers, Find Out Why
Once IHOP revealed on Twitter about the name change and ‘p’ is soon going to be replaced with ‘b’, speculations started doing rounds.
Pancake chain International House of Pancakes or IHOP as we all know it, revealed in a tweet on Monday suggesting changing the brand’s name from ‘IHOP’ to ‘IHOB’ starting June 11. The company has not disclosed the meaning of the new acronym. The Twitterati has gone berserk as they cannot help but wonder what would ‘b’ stand for? But for the Arab’s on Twitter it made perfect sense, hysterically. Find out why the name change will not make any significant difference for the Arab’s.
Once IHOP revealed on Twitter about the name change and ‘p’ is soon going to be replaced with ‘b’, speculations started doing rounds. Many suggested that ‘b’ could stand for ‘breakfast’ (makes sense) but a pole conducted by the pancake joint revealed that 41% of consumers think that it could be ‘b’ for ‘bacon’. Bacon pancakes?
IHOP’s Tweet Revealing Name Change to ‘IHOB’
One user Chris Tadros pointed out in a tweet that it has always been ‘IHOB’ for Arab parents.
And another user said those with Arabic-speaking parents, it has been like that from start.
Confused? Don’t be. That’s because in the Arabic alphabet, no letter exists with a hard ‘p’ sound, making it tough for Arabic speakers to pronounce the letter ‘p’. Hence, Arabs found a solution by choosing the closest alternative – the Arabic equivalent of the letter ‘b’. Across the Middle East, Pepsi is known as ‘Bebsi’ and Pizza is ‘Bizza’. So, that means that for many Arabs, IHOP has always been known as IHOB. Coincidence or not but for many Arabs their day was made, and they couldn’t stop joking about the name change.
Here Are Some Hilarious Twitter Reactions from Arab-Speaking Community
Found in suburban Los Angeles in 1958, the International House of Pancakes shortened its name to IHOP in 1973, according to the company’s website. And now 45 years later, IHOP appears to be heading for another tweak. The change could be prompted after Dine Brands Global, the parent company of IHOP, announced in late February that it would close 30 to 40 IHOP restaurants to acquire and grow small chains that offer healthy food. Well, this could just be a publicity (or should we say bublicity) stunt, but till then we all have to wait for June 11.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 07, 2018 09:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).