# Meaningless Advertising Words **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265 "2018-06-17T16:37:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/21 "2018-06-18T05:15:29Z")
Not a “word” as such, but the phrase “Up to 10% or more!” deserves a mention. Oh, so we’re restricting it to the set of all real numbers, possibly excluding 10.0 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/22 "2018-06-18T05:32:21Z")
> [@tenacious\_j](#): > > What I really hate, though, is when brands make up some special qualification that only they have. Tonight, I was looking into moisturizers online. Neutrogena moisturizers are the only ones with super-amazing Helioplex [https://www.neutrogena.com/tips-tools/helioplex-technology.html](https://www.neutrogena.com/tips-tools/helioplex-technology.html). L’Oreal is the only one to have Pro-Retinol A, which I’m supposed to believe is special or better than retinol. [https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/anti-aging/best-skin-care-products-with-pro-retinol-a.aspx](https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/anti-aging/best-skin-care-products-with-pro-retinol-a.aspx) > > Yeah, you’re the only one with that because you made it up. That doesn’t make it any better, and it doesn’t mean anything. But, you’ve got to buy Vitalis with V-7! Even Walgreens makes sure to call it [“Vitalis with V-7”](https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/vitalis-hair-tonic-with-v7/ID=prod923659-product). When it was being used to slick down men’s hair back in the 40s, there was an interview with the creator. When asked what V-7 was, he said “Well, we needed to tout a secret ingredient, and Vitalis has 7 letters.” ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/23 "2018-06-18T05:56:39Z")
The Parker pen company long ago advertised their “A11” ink additive. It was in fact “All” brand detergent - they found if they added just a little, people’s fountain pens flowed better. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/24 "2018-06-19T01:39:48Z")
Curated = highbrow, more expensive, no better. They want me to think there’s a guy in a warehouse thinking, “Which of our fine offerings would most please seal\_cleaner?” ---
**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:** [June 19, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/25 "2018-06-19T02:37:46Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I like my food to be bold. None of that cowardly flavoring for me. That’s why Life Savers doesn’t make a tame cherry flavor. > [@DavidwithanR](#): > > The Parker pen company long ago advertised their “A11” ink additive. > > It was in fact “All” brand detergent - they found if they added just a little, people’s fountain pens flowed better. 🙂 I’ve heard pilots speak admiringly of the flight characteristics of the GU-eleven and the B1-RD A radio quiz show that I listen to had a round once where the host would name a so-called secret ingredient, and the panelists have to name the product that once touted that in their advertising. I remember “tetrahydrozoline”, “dextromethorphan”, and “retsyn”. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/26 "2018-06-19T03:04:27Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > A radio quiz show that I listen to had a round once where the host would name a so-called secret ingredient, and the panelists have to name the product that once touted that in their advertising. I remember “tetrahydrozoline”, “dextromethorphan”, and “retsyn”. You forgot “hexachlorophene.” 😃 ---
**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:** [June 19, 2018, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/27 "2018-06-19T04:06:32Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > You forgot “hexachlorophene.” 😃 There’s also “platformate”; before my time, but I’m impressed by the folks they got to do the [commercials](https://youtu.be/XN4FOGjSm3Q). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/28 "2018-06-19T04:23:33Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > There’s also “platformate”; before my time, but I’m impressed by the folks they got to do the [commercials](https://youtu.be/XN4FOGjSm3Q). **You’re** impressed? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/aT3UOsQJFNQ/hqdefault.jpg "classic vw beetle commercial ft. Edwin Buzz Aldrin") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3UOsQJFNQ) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/29 "2018-06-19T04:34:50Z")
Subway - Eat Fresh! ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/30 "2018-06-19T05:22:30Z")
> [@tenacious\_j](#): > > Yeah, you’re the only one with that because you made it up. That doesn’t make it any better, and it doesn’t mean anything. Techron Fahrvergnügen Rich Corinthian Leather > [@Smeghead](#): > > Subway - Eat Fresh! Except there’s nothing fresh about 40-year-old meat inside 12-year-old buns. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/31 "2018-06-19T05:29:50Z")
Coke wanting me to “taste the feeling” somehow comes off as creepy. I don’t want to taste the feeling, thank you. Maybe I should smell the sight or hear the taste. Is it soda or acid? ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/32 "2018-06-19T21:35:29Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Techron > Fahrvergnügen > Rich Corinthian Leather > Except there’s nothing fresh about 40-year-old meat inside 12-year-old buns. 😛 _Fahrvergnügen_ is at least a legitimate stand-alone German word, meaning “driving pleasure.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/33 "2018-06-19T22:03:28Z")
In Ontario (perhaps all of Canada?) food establishments are not allowed to advertise “home made,” so “home style” is the preferred term. It’s like processed cheese slices; establishments can’t call it cheese here, it has to be called processed cheese. What you folks might call American cheese. The whole marketing industry is very interesting. When I was married I swear that every few months my ex’s preferred feminine hygiene products would be completely repackaged into something completely unfamiliar. As soon as I got familiar with what to buy, everything would change. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/34 "2018-06-19T22:06:13Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Professional Strength: I guess the other is for amateurs. The term has a seriousness/dangerousness to it that almost implies not to let the kids use the product to clean. That one is very often quite meaningful. I used to own a small office-cleaning business, and some of the chemicals that I used were indeed quite different from their “amateur” counterparts. If you misuse some of the professional-labeled chemicals, you can mess up your carpet (for example) way worse and way faster than with the others. ---
**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:** [June 19, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/35 "2018-06-19T22:44:25Z")
“Signature” is most often used with store brands. Some stores will have multiple store brands, at different prices and quality. Something “signature” is likely to be the highest-quality (and most expensive, but still often cheaper than the major brands) one. > [@](#): > > Quoth **Biotop** : > > Coke wanting me to “taste the feeling” somehow comes off as creepy. I don’t want to taste the feeling, thank you. > > Maybe I should smell the sight or hear the taste. Is it soda or acid? Not what you meant, I know, but unless you keep muriatic acid around for cleaning, Coca-Cola probably is the most acidic substance in your house. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/36 "2018-06-19T22:49:09Z")
Any place with casinos is familiar with them advertising their “Loose” slots. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/37 "2018-06-19T22:51:04Z")
My personal most hated advertising term is: Buy one, get the second for **half off**! Hopefully the evil bastard who came up with this way of labeling a 25% off sale is roasting in his own circle of Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/38 "2018-06-19T23:50:13Z")
Ads for patent medicines often claim they “support” various health goals, like kidney health or prostate health or smoother skin. I’ve often wondered if “support” just means “has practically no effect at all, but at least it doesn’t actively harm you”. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/39 "2018-06-20T00:30:51Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > Ads for patent medicines often claim they “support” various health goals, like kidney health or prostate health or smoother skin. I’ve often wondered if “support” just means “has practically no effect at all, but at least it doesn’t actively harm you”. Which brings to mind the claim “part of this complete breakfast.” In other words, you’re not going to get much nutrition from _our_ product, but if you eat all this _other_ stuff, too, you might be okay. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265/40 "2018-06-20T01:02:27Z")
Because of course an expert in spacecraft orbital rendezvous navigation and EVA techniques is the guy to tell you how amazing is a VW Beetle diagnostics module… (kudos for the ultra klunky computer and printer, that really communicates “technology”) “\_\_\_\_-style” means it’s not really whatever’s in that blank. As George Carlin put it, a packaged food is not home-style, even of the owner is living in the basement. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > A radio quiz show that I listen to had a round once where the host would name a so-called secret ingredient, and the panelists have to name the product that once touted that in their advertising. I remember “tetrahydrozoline”, “dextromethorphan”, and “retsyn”. Visine; virtually every cough medicine since Romilar; Certs Damn there’s a lot of accumulated brainlint… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaningless-advertising-words/816265.md?page=3)