# Incredibly common products which the store clerk never heard of **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225 "2021-09-23T21:29:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 32
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/623 "2022-07-16T15:17:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Of course. I mean, when I hear a word or phrase, I normally make a connection to what I think it means. Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound like you were stupid or something. I think there are probably millions of things that people never give a thought to why they are called that. If you don’t have real life experience with the thing, you will probably never know. I knew early on because I had a relative that smoked a pipe. Only person I know in my whole life that smoked a pipe. I’m sure there are a lot of people that know what a pipe is, but don’t know that many can be taken apart to be cleaned. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2022, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/624 "2022-07-16T18:10:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Businesses in general have become far more brazen about overtly steering the customers to what they want to sell, and away from whatever the customer came in to buy. Potentially overlookable subtlety is sooo last century. You think that’s something new? ---
**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:** [July 16, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/625 "2022-07-16T18:27:48Z")
I think there is a difference of degree, not of kind. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/626 "2022-07-16T18:35:05Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I’ve never heard of a petcock before, but a little research tells me it is a type of valve mostly used in vehicle motors. Is a plumbing store likely to carry either the part or lubricant for it? Maybe try an auto parts store? The last time an engine used a petcock was a 1918 Maxwell. It’s a simple valve > [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Plus all the cultural references on TV and in film - hadn’t he ever seen an episode of _Seinfeld_? Apparently not. I can’t recall lox mentioned in Seinfeld although perhaps it was just in passing. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/627 "2022-07-16T19:04:27Z")
The standard 1/4 turn “angle stop” valve used in toilet shutoffs is an example of a petcock. > **[BrassCraft 1/2 in. Compression Inlet x 3/8 in. Compression Outlet 1/4-Turn...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/BrassCraft-1-2-in-Compression-Inlet-x-3-8-in-Compression-Outlet-1-4-Turn-Angle-Valve-G2CR19X-C1/202047059)** > > BrassCraft 1/2 in. Nominal Compression Inlet x 3/8 in. O.D. Compression Outlet 1/4-Turn Angle Valve controls water flow to household plumbing fixtures - faucets, toilets, dishwashers, icemakers, washing ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/628 "2022-07-16T21:35:01Z")
Pro Tip: When Googleing, it’s “petcock” not “pet cock” . . . unless you’re actually looking for _Bad Dragon_ sex toys! ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/629 "2022-07-16T23:14:43Z")
Petcocks are still fairly common on modern cars as the means to drain the radiator. Both of my cars have one. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/630 "2022-07-17T03:11:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’d always known the “rubbing” in rubbing alchohol meant for massaging into skin Huh. I’ve known for a few years that scented alcohols are sometimes used for massages, but still never connected that to the “rubbing” in rubbing alcohol somehow. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/631 "2022-07-17T15:41:27Z")
Another person confused by the redefinition of rubbing alcohol. The old stuff I remember had extra crap in it for massage or whatever purposes. One had to specifically look for isopropyl or denatured alcohol if one used it for cleaning stuff without leaving a residue. E.g., one definitely did _not_ use rubbing alcohol when cleaning circuit boards. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/632 "2022-07-19T01:33:39Z")
I’ve always viewed pipe cleaners as craft items that can also be used for cleaning pipes, or other narrow openings like the vent on my Instant Pot, which was why I bought some a while back. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/633 "2022-07-19T01:58:37Z")
That Instant Pot suggestion is a really good idea that I’d never thought of. Thanks! (scoots off to Amazon to order some) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/634 "2022-07-19T06:43:11Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The old stuff I remember had extra crap in it for massage or whatever purposes. Glycerin, mostly. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/635 "2022-07-19T11:43:19Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > That Instant Pot suggestion is a really good idea that I’d never thought of. Thanks! (scoots off to Amazon to order some) Yes! It’s brilliant! (off to Amazon, too…) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/636 "2022-07-19T12:39:11Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@ftg](#): > > > > The old stuff I remember had extra crap in it for massage or whatever purposes. > > Glycerin, mostly. That sounds right. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/637 "2022-07-19T12:46:47Z")
> [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](#): > > People don’t use that stuff anymore, they use body wash.” and then went on stocking. I’ll fess up and say that is exactly what I was thinking when I first started to read your post. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/638 "2022-07-19T21:14:52Z")
I just got a spam titled “Pipe cleaners for your arteries.” The only time I’ve seen, read, or heard the term “pipe cleaners” in years is in this thread. Is somebody watching what I read on the Dope? 😱 ---
**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:** [July 19, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/639 "2022-07-19T23:58:57Z")
If you’re logged in to your Google account, the answer is almost certainly yes. if you’re using a Chrome browser or an Android phone, the answer is also almost certainly yes. Bastids. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/640 "2022-07-20T01:28:58Z")
I was working in a deli when I was going to Penn State. People came in asking for soda. “We don’t stock it,” Hey, they said, it’s right there …pointing to the Pepsi display. Me from Pittsburgh, that’s pop. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/641 "2022-07-20T02:00:19Z")
It’s Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225/642 "2022-07-20T02:05:36Z")
No Coke, Pepsi. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-common-products-which-the-store-clerk-never-heard-of/951225.md?page=33)