# Confusing product names **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [April 18, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472 "2024-04-18T19:59:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/81 "2024-04-21T03:18:31Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad does not actually go to Santa Fe, and it appears that it never has. The company was formed in 1995 when the Burlington Northern Railroad company merged with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway company. The latter company was formed in 1859 to serve the cities of Atchison and Topeka, Kansas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The railroad, however, bypassed Santa Fe because of the mountainous terrain. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/82 "2024-04-21T03:20:46Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I was genuinely confused about the dish Welsh Rabbit I think we really need to stay away from the non-hole with no toad in it. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/83 "2024-04-21T03:27:50Z")
Witch doctors are not witches, nor are they physicians who treat witches. Rather, they heal people of ailments _caused_ by witchcraft. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/84 "2024-04-21T04:34:44Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Despite its name, masking tape should not be used for masking off portions of walls for painting. I learned that one the hard way. Um, it was designed for masking off things during painting, specifically auto bodies during manufacture. There are different formulations with different adhesive levels. Blue painter’s tape and frog tape _are_ making tapes. > **[Masking tape](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masking_tape)** > > Masking tape, also known as painter's tape, is a type of pressure-sensitive tape made of a thin and easy-to-tear paper, and an easily released pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is available in a variety of widths. It is used mainly in painting, to mask off areas that should not be painted. > Some inexpensive masking tapes are suited for general use in homes and offices. Others are designed for professional house painters. Masking tapes for automotive or aircraft use have special characteristics fo... ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/85 "2024-04-21T07:43:26Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Why do they call it Ovaltine? The mug is round. They should call it “Roundtine”. Sorry 😉 Original name is Ovomaltine, and Ovo is egg. It was changed for the British market, for some odd reason. > **[Ovaltine | History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovaltine#History)** > > Ovaltine was developed in 1904 by chemist Albert Wander \[de\] (1867–1950), in Bern, Switzerland, where it is also known by its original name, Ovomaltine (from ovum, Latin for "egg", and malt, which were originally its key ingredients). In 1927, the factory moved out to the village of Neuenegg, a short distance west of Bern, where it is still produced. > Ovomaltine was exported to Britain as Ovaltine in 1909. A factory was built in Kings Langley, which took it to the United States as well. By 1915, ... Hubby told me I was pronouncing the brand name (Pan-Ty) wrong. It’s [pan tie](https://www.panduit.com/en/products/wire-routing-management-protection/cable-wire-ties-mounts-straps/cable-wire-ties/plt2s-m69.html), not pan tee. The local telecommunication company rebranded their marketing packages. Everything is now Blue. Blue tv, Blue cinema and even Blue children’s shows. Just a bit strange to those who are familiar with blue language and blue films. Which makes me wonder about Blue’s Clues. ---
**Author:** ![Plutonium\_Chef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/plutonium_chef/32/11211_2.png) [@Plutonium\_Chef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plutonium_Chef)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/86 "2024-04-21T07:54:16Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Snickers bars are in no way funny. Check out #8 on this page: > **[11 Specks of Trivia to Catch With Your Brain’s Tongue](https://trivia.cracked.com/article_41795_11-specks-of-trivia-to-catch-with-your-brains-tongue.html)** > > Each one unique in its own special way “… But the Mars company’s iconic Snickers bar is actually [named after Ethel Mars’ favorite horse](https://www.mashed.com/252414/the-strange-origin-of-snickers-name/).” ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/87 "2024-04-21T08:09:39Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > The local telecommunication company rebranded their marketing packages. Everything is now Blue. Blue tv, Blue cinema and even Blue children’s shows. When independent CityTV started broadcasting in Toronto on UHF Channel 79 back in the 1970s, they showed “Baby Blue Movies” every Friday night at midnight. These were softcore porn films, often followed by a softcore porn short, and ending at about 2:00 am. So when I hear, “Blue tv, Blue cinema and even Blue children’s shows,” my only reaction can be, WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/88 "2024-04-21T14:47:19Z")
The truffles on sale at my local candy store were not dug up in France with the help of pigs. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/89 "2024-04-21T14:55:02Z")
Those pigs have been useless since they unionized. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/90 "2024-04-21T16:49:48Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > The truffles on sale at my local candy store were not dug up in France with the help of pigs. “Truffle” is the traditional name for the chocolate candy ball, a French confection so named because it resembles the mushroom. > **[Chocolate truffle](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_truffle)** > > A chocolate truffle is a French chocolate confectionery traditionally made with a chocolate ganache centre and coated in cocoa powder, coconut, or chopped nuts. A chocolate truffle is handrolled into a spherical or ball shape. The name derives from the chocolate truffle's similarity in appearance to truffles, a tuber fungus. It was created in the city of Chambéry by the pastry chef Nicole Petruccelli. > Over the years, many varieties appeared under different names : > Other styles include: ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/91 "2024-04-21T17:15:48Z")
As someone who moved to the Santa Clara Valley from the shadows of the Cascades, I always chuckled inside whenever I heard reference to the Santa Cruz “Mountains.” ---
**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:** [April 21, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/92 "2024-04-21T17:42:54Z")
As someone who moved to the Bay Area from Chicago, I chuckled inside (not always good-naturedly) when I’d hear people call San Francisco “The City”. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/93 "2024-04-21T18:03:07Z")
I had the same what the fuck is this moment as you. But I think that’s the idea. Let the kids get their water (at a bar or party) but still look cool doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/94 "2024-04-21T18:11:46Z")
A “Dove bar” could be either chocolate or soap. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/95 "2024-04-21T18:25:16Z")
The University of South Florida is a couple of hundred miles north of south Florida. Greenland isn’t green. And Philadelphia Cream Cheese was originated in Chester, New York. [Location, Location…Location? The home.grown. Story of Philadelphia Cream Cheese - Price Chopper - Market 32](https://www.pricechopper.com/blog/story-of-philadelphia-cream-cheese/#:~:text=Philadelphia%20Cream%20Cheese%20is%20actually,Cream%20Cheese%20got%20its%20name). ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/96 "2024-04-21T18:55:41Z")
But what does the name mean? Neither is (AFAWK) made from ground up birds, nor likely brought up from the depths of the sea or fallen from a great height. Perhaps they were lost it Italy? ---
**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:** [April 21, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/97 "2024-04-21T20:29:20Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > But I think that’s the idea. Let the kids get their water (at a bar or party) but still look cool doing it. This is exactly the reason for it, although more for concerts and other large events ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/98 "2024-04-21T21:34:41Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I feel like 19th century railroad companies liked to give themselves very ambitious names. Now it’s freeways that do it. The Elgin O’Hare Tollroad outside Chicago goes to neither Elgin nor O’Hare. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/99 "2024-04-21T21:53:00Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > The Elgin O’Hare Tollroad outside Chicago goes to neither Elgin nor O’Hare. Well, not yet, anyway. It should be connected up at O’Hare by 2026; it’s not clear when or if it’ll ever make it to Elgin. > **[Illinois Route 390 | Future](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Route_390#Future)** > > The remaining section of IL 390 from IL 83 in Bensenville to the western edge of O'Hare International Airport is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2026. As of 2016\[update\], a feasibility study is underway on the western extension of IL 390 from US 20 to North Avenue in Bartlett, as well as changes to US 20 between North Avenue in Bartlett and Shales Parkway in Elgin. However, unlike the original plans, the entire extension is proposed to be an arterial road rather than a ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472/100 "2024-04-21T22:10:54Z")
The product Cologuard has been mentioned in some discussions here from time to time. I know it’s a poop test for symptoms of colorectal cancer, but I always have the impression that it’s a laundry product – either a detergent or a bleach safe for brightly coloured fabrics. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-product-names/1000472.md?page=6)