The reason was a simple pun: the combination of the words "Xbox" and "House" created "Xbouse." At first glance, the harmless word turned into a scandal, because in French-speaking countries "bouse" means "pile of manure" and is used as an insult directed at the Xbox brand.
In France, Belgium, and Switzerland, "Xbouse" has long been used by PlayStation fans to mock Xbox users. The fact that the official Microsoft profile repeated this word shocked many and caused a wave of indignant ironic comments on all social platforms.
The post was accompanied by a picture of a "compressed" Xbox Series X next to a pun, but it turned out to be a boomerang for marketing. Some users reacted with humor, while others criticized the team for a lack of cultural sensitivity. In a few hours, the term "Xbouse" went viral and became a European trend.
Microsoft promptly removed the publication and tried to smooth out the negativity, but the case underscores the importance of linguistic and cultural control in global communication. Even a harmless word can cause a viral scandal, affect reputation and brand perception.
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