Weird web news: Why cuddly wolf Lufsig is popular in Hong Kong

Sunday 15 December 2013 01:06 GMT

Lufsig the wolf has become a symbol of protest in Hong Kong

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What sells in Ikea and has become a symbol of protest in Hong Kong? Meet Lufsig, the cuddly wolf who – since being thrown at the region’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying – has sold out in local branches of the Swedish furniture giant.

The toy’s popularity is twofold: (1) Leung Chun-ying has been dubbed “Wolf”, by many who find his policies “cunning”. And (2) The name did not translate well to Cantonese, in which it sounded like a “vulgar anatomical reference”. Costing £8 in the UK, Lufsigs are selling for more than double that on eBay in Hong Kong. It’s also reported that Ikea has changed the product’s name. After howls of protest, no doubt.

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Twitter: @simmyrichman