# Does the word tactical have any meaning in advertisements? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587 "2025-05-20T16:24:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/21 "2025-05-20T18:29:05Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Black. It’s black matte. Which doesn’t make for a very practical bar of soap. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/22 "2025-05-20T18:30:06Z")
“space age materials” = any introduced into the market after 1958. Or even just used after 1958. > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > if you are truly ‘tactical’, you paint your gun coyote brown Was about to mention that. It’s what’s been with-it since the late 20teens. > [@ParallelLines](#): > > I can have something that meets ONE specification, while ignoring the rest. “Can be attached to MOLLE webbing.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/23 "2025-05-20T18:33:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Amateurs sell products by calling them tactical, but professionals sell products by calling them logistical. > > If I might correct you: > Sellers sell products to amateurs by calling them tactical, and they sell products to professionals by calling them logistical. But in this case, the ad was for a kickstarter campaign. So it literally was amateurs trying to sell a product by calling it tactical. The professionals and logistical part was just a joke. For now. But who knows? In a few years, we may see products like logistical toothpaste, strategic dishwashing liquid, and global thermonuclear socks. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/24 "2025-05-20T18:37:00Z")
I made the mistake of looking up “tactical toilet paper”. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/25 "2025-05-20T18:49:21Z")
Even worse would be tactile toilet paper. “Feel The Go” ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/26 "2025-05-20T19:00:05Z")
About 20 years ago, my boss wanted to market our product as “solid state.” I told him that I didn’t think that was a very good idea. He asked me why, and I said that it was used to describe products that didn’t use tubes, and so was very obsolete. He thought it meant “rugged.” ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/27 "2025-05-20T19:08:26Z")
That reminds me. I need to order some C-47s. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/28 "2025-05-20T19:13:22Z")
The toilet seats are indeed tactical black (except for the red ones, for venereal disease cases) [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJKgEaLcZGeSd-OGERbpM_rG5W7N5x092WTBLromhxGg&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJKgEaLcZGeSd-OGERbpM_rG5W7N5x092WTBLromhxGg&s) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/29 "2025-05-20T19:19:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Which doesn’t make for a very practical bar of soap. It’s not practical, it’s tactical! Tactical = black with rugged things attached or carved into it, edges are flat and corners sharp rather than rounded. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/30 "2025-05-20T19:23:01Z")
IOW, if you can’t hurt yourself just fiddling with it, the design is not tactical enough. I’ll point out that going back decades the real military has had the pejoritive term “tacticool” for the wannabe poseurs and their silly toys. Some of whom are on active duty. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/31 "2025-05-20T19:23:32Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Tactical = black with rugged things attached or carved into it, edges are flat and corners sharp rather than rounded. And if at all possible, hire Sam Elliott to voice your ads. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/32 "2025-05-20T19:24:01Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Which doesn’t make for a very practical bar of soap. Never used charcoal soap? 😇 Tactical pants generally mean khaki color with lots of pockets and reinforced knees, etc So, it sometimes has a meaning- Sometimes. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/33 "2025-05-20T19:26:08Z")
A few years ago I ordered some of those hiking pants with the zip-off legs from Amazon. The Amazon product page described them as “tactical pants”. ETA: @DrDeth ninja’ed me with his post about tactical pants. I will say the ones I bought were pretty much just nylon cargo pants with zippers on the legs so they could be easily converted to shorts. There was nothing reinforced on them. In fact I’ve seen the same sort of product sold elsewhere simply marked as “convertible hiking pants” or something like that without the word “tactical”. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/34 "2025-05-20T19:26:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Never used charcoal soap? Nope. I long ago made the tactical decision to buy whatever soap’s in stock at Dollar Tree. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/35 "2025-05-20T19:26:30Z")
Yeah I sheepishly admit I bought some hiking pants that were labeled tactical. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/36 "2025-05-20T19:28:54Z")
No. It’s one of those words much beloved of advertisers that has positive connotations (at least for their key demographic, for me it says “this product is for dick heads”) but absolutely no legal enforceability. Like “artisanal”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/37 "2025-05-20T19:30:37Z")
I give you (no takebacks!)…_tactical underwear_ [Battle Briefs – Tactical Distributors](https://www.tacticaldistributors.com/collections/battle-briefs) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/38 "2025-05-20T19:36:18Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Yeah I sheepishly admit I bought some hiking pants that were labeled tactical. I have some orvis multi pocket shorts- not advertised as “tactical” and a pair of long “Tactical” pants by LAPG (LA Police gear) which really are tactical. I like cargo pants. So, if you want cargo pants with double knees, usually made of fairly tough stuff- you can do worse that asking Amazon for tactical pants- but then be choosey and a smart shopper. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/39 "2025-05-20T19:47:42Z")
Those of you making fun of tacticool pants have probably never been in a _real_ firefight. The zip-off legs are an essential part of any tactical withdrawal, distracting the opposing force in much the same way a lizard detaches its tail when in danger. Proper usage requires years of training so you don’t trip over them while retreating. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587/40 "2025-05-20T19:48:52Z")
Oh there is black soap. I guess you could call it matte black. I’ve been seeing man toiletries with names like Dr. Squatch, Black label, Cowboy bar. I’m sure “Tough Tactical bubble bath” will be on the shelves soon. Maybe even in bath bombs. Them mens will love that! 😊💣 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-word-tactical-have-any-meaning-in-advertisements/1018587.md?page=3)