# Advertising and slogans that leave you Amused or Confused **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [March 18, 2024, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976 "2024-03-18T08:45:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/61 "2024-03-19T18:47:46Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Their architecture was very distinctive. I don’t know if it’s still around, but I remember a blog that chronicled UTBAPH buildings. It stood for “Used To Be A Pizza Hut”. There’s one near here that is currently a martial arts dojo. Before that, it was a Chinese restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/62 "2024-03-19T19:05:08Z")
GEICO using “Build Me Up Buttercup” for their motorcycle insurance commercials. Are they saying that their customers feel let down? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_sh9sn3cEx8/maxresdefault.jpg "Geico Motorcycle - Build Me Up Buttercup") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sh9sn3cEx8) ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/63 "2024-03-19T19:25:57Z")
And den what? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/64 "2024-03-19T19:28:10Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The whole message of their ads is that I should be their customer for no better reason than that other people can’t. I don’t think that’s the message - I think the message is supposed to be for people who otherwise would have no idea they are eligible because their parent/grandparent was in the military ( although my understanding is that for a grandchild to be eligible, bother the parent and grandparent must have been members). Because the way the commercial presents it , it isn’t very exclusive at all. It’s like if my credit union advertised its membership requirements - you have to live, work , worship or attend school in NYC _or_ work for NYS or the Federal government _or_ be an immediate family member of a member. They certainly wouldn’t be advertising their exclusivity - but I’d bet you that no more than 50% of the people eligible know they are. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/65 "2024-03-20T00:31:29Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > The Americans didn’t understand why the Brits and Aussies were sniggering so much. Perhaps I’m missing something, but do you really think Americans weren’t aware of the humorous implications of the word “Wang?” ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/66 "2024-03-20T00:37:02Z")
But in this case the Brits and Aussies were sniggering because “Wang Cares” sounds like “wankers”, which adds an additional layer of humor. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/67 "2024-03-20T00:43:05Z")
I know a couple of companies have used Vehicle by the Ides of March, not realizing the full lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/68 "2024-03-20T01:58:00Z")
I was once working for a US company that was developing some software for a Japanese company. The Japanese company was working on their ad campaign and were using a woodpecker as a mascot. They had one ad with a slogan “Trust the Pecker!”. Someone on our side had to gently explain to them that “pecker” was not an acceptable shortening of “woodpecker” in English. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2024, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/69 "2024-03-20T04:15:40Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > You want to fuck a sandwich? Well, there was that Corned Beef from Mott Canyon… I kinda was in love with it! Let’s not talk about the Red Potato Salad with Bleu Cheese and Bacon. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/70 "2024-03-21T00:17:47Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > So there was a pizza parlor near our apartment called “Pizza Hat,” which included signage complete with the real Pizza Hut logo (which I’ve always thought is supposed to be a red roof, but [it certainly looks like a hat)](https://www.google.com/search?as_st=y&tbm=isch&hl=en&as_q=Pizza+Hut+logo&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&imgar=&imgcolor=&imgtype=&cr=&as_sitesearch=&as_filetype=&tbs=#imgrc=NovQKTYXYqGzFM) There’s a pizza chain around here called Pizza Patron, and there logo looked similar to Pizza Huts red roof. [https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/07/05/behind-the-deal-that-brought-pizza-patron-to-san.html](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/07/05/behind-the-deal-that-brought-pizza-patron-to-san.html) They’ve changed it to a guy in a red fedora now, but it doesn’t look as much like Pizza Hut. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/71 "2024-03-21T00:33:34Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > So there was a pizza parlor near our apartment called “Pizza Hat,” which included signage complete with the real Pizza Hut logo I didn’t realize this went on in Egypt, too, but knock-off fast food places are apparently quite common in Iran, were Pizza Hat and Mash Donald’s are apparently pretty big. > **[How Bootleg Fast Food Conquered Iran](https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/fast-food-in-iran)** > > Mash Donalds, Sheak Shack, and Pizza Hat are very popular. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/72 "2024-03-21T00:40:30Z")
Do Mash Donalds come with ketchup? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/73 "2024-03-21T01:54:01Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > There’s a pizza chain around here called Pizza Patron Ah yes good old traditional Mexican pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/74 "2024-03-21T18:11:22Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I didn’t realize this went on in Egypt, too, but knock-off fast food places are apparently quite common in Iran, were Pizza Hat and Mash Donald’s are apparently pretty big. What, no Burger Shah? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/75 "2024-03-21T20:50:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > not realizing the full lyrics. It’s a song about a guy driving his (platonic) girlfriend everywhere. Sounds like a car commercial to me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/76 "2024-03-21T21:04:15Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s a song about a guy driving his (platonic) girlfriend everywhere. Sounds like a car commercial to me. "_Hey, well, I’m the friendly stranger in the black sedan_ _Oh, won’t you hop inside my car_ _I got pictures, got candy, I am a lovable man"_ True, that is the historic meaning- that a guy was complaining he was used as nothing but a ride. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/77 "2024-03-21T21:25:04Z")
On the subject of ads using songs that are inappropriate when you actually listen to all the lyrics: Years ago there was an ad for some outdoorsy clothing company (maybe L.L. Bean?) that used the song “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and showed a family out hiking. If you actually listen to all the lyrics, it’s not a song about a fun camping trip. It’s a hobo’s idea of paradise, where cigarettes grow on trees and the streams flow with alcohol instead of water. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/78 "2024-03-21T21:36:41Z")
A number of politicians have ended up using songs completely opposed to what they thought they meant, too. The one that stands out is Reagan’s use of “Born in the USA”. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/79 "2024-03-21T21:43:07Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The one that stands out is Reagan’s use of “Born in the USA”. Or every song Trump has used for his campaigns (usually without permission or even asking before). “Rockin’ In The Free World”, really??? ---
**Author:** ![Beesnest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@Beesnest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beesnest)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976/80 "2024-03-21T22:06:06Z")
Trump also preempted the song The Snake (Al Wilson) before people could use it against him. The Theme song we all recognize from MASH is “Suicide is Painless” which always confused me. Instacart used a song No diggity that was talking about something else to "bag it " besides groceries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advertising-and-slogans-that-leave-you-amused-or-confused/998976.md?page=5)