What is the Most Recognized Word Ever?

I have read, most recently in Pamela Myers' excellent book Lie Spotting, that the words OK, Coke, and Shakespeare are the most universally recognized worlds in the world.

After Googling this, OK and Coke get the most hits, but I don't know if this is entirely accurate. Maybe in the English speaking world it is.

But in the non-English speaking world Coke is the only one with any worldwide recognition, even if it is known by its full name Coca-cola.

Having traveled to various Asian countries, including China, S. Korea, and Japan, I have noticed that "Bye-bye" is part of their everyday vernacular. OK isn't part of their lexicon.

I asked my Thai and Vietnamese friends, and they both informed me that both "Bye-bye" and Coca-cola are known. 

Meanwhile, in my conversations with my Asian friends, Shakespeare is a known word, but most people don't exactly know much more than the fact that he was the West's most famous writer.

However, my best bet for most globally recognized words, and yes all three are English due to the fact it is the dominant language on this planet, would be: Coca-Cola, Bye-Bye, and Jesus Christ.

These words would most likely be followed closely by the word "Muhammad." Both religious figures make the list simply because there are billions of Christians and Muslims permeating the world, and are found in almost every developed culture. Additionally, Muhammad is the most chosen name to give a child in the world.

I would say the words CD, DVD, and Shakespeare are a close runners up.

If anyone has some actual data on this, feel free to post it in the comments section below. I would like to research this more. Also, I filter all posts with links, so don't freak out if the post doesn't show up immediately. It will take several hours before I can get around to checking the link to see if it isn't malicious and then approve it.

New Zombie Short Story: BITTEN: After Dark 2

My new zombie short story BITTEN: After Dark 2 is FREE on Kindle for the next five days! (Special Offer ends Sept. 10th, 2012.)

Saeko Sakaguchi is a Japanese high school student and is the All-Japan second place Kendo champion. One evening, after school, she is heading home with her American boyfriend when they run into some Yakuza-wanna-be thugs. Shinji Terajima, the groups ring leader, is still sore at the fact that Saeko, a competitive girl short on patients, gave him a royal beating after he had pushed her too far. Waiting for her, Terajima's gang beats Kevin up and starts to tear away Saeko's clothes--when all of a sudden a moan rings out.

Soon enough, the group of teenagers are struggling for their survival as a zombie outbreak starts to tear Tokyo apart. Find out what happens in this new, exciting, original zombie short story!

Hot off the heals of BITTEN: After Dark, which sold over 240 copies in the first week, comes BITTEN: After Dark 2. Unlike the first short story, which was a supplemental story that tied into the original full-length BITTEN novel, this all new 38 page short acts as an extended introduction and introduces the main characters to the upcoming BITTEN sequel (coming summer 2013).

Contains adult language and themes. Recommended for mature readers.

BITTEN Second Edition Update!

Just a friendly reminder, the SECOND edition of my book BITTEN is now available on Amazon.com for the new LOW price of $10.99 (paperback)! The ebook is only $2.99!

I promise you, it's worth checking out! You can read the first 3 chapters free using Amazon's free previewer, just click on the picture of the book to "Look Inside."