Great column! Not for nothing you’re the best writer on this stuff!
It’s funny, one of the first words I learned in Swedish was “ingenting” which means “nothing” but I always felt it sounded like something (but that word is “någeting” or “nåt” which definitely sounds like no or nothing!)
And when I taught English, sometimes I’d stop correcting double negatives bec it almost sounded clearer.
Oh, branding ... the world has gone mad. Given that a walk down the aisles of Safeway or any other supermarket reveals a dizzying array of similar but supposedly different products, I can understand the challenge face by any item -- especially a new product -- standing out from the herd enough to be noticed, let alone purchased.
This reminds me of a family gathering long ago, when my mom -- then in her '70s, a woman who I'd never heard utter a discouraging word, much less curse -- had been gifted a big bottle of Mother Fuddrucker's Mustard.
At dinner, after a couple of glasses of wine, she decided to try the new mustard, but became confused, finally asking someone to "pass the, you know, the ... motherfuckers --" at which point she turned several shades of red while the rest of us collapsed with laughter.
Well, that's one brand name our family never forgot.
I read this with much amusement. As the owner of a Lack of Color hat, I have wondered... and what I decided is that it refers to how keeping your face shaded with a hat prevents you from getting a tan, i.e. getting some color.
I'd bet the name, "Bullshit" (or maybe, "Bullshit!") has been used for a product name. I don't know of a more appropriate name for a fashion product than "Bullshit."
I'm not sure if it would be a negative brand name.
"To make that work, the clothes have to be well made — that’s the only way a name like ours makes sense in a luxury space."
-->
"With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good"
Or as they spoofed it on SNL: "With a name like Painful Rectal Itch..."
https://www.tumblr.com/pleasant-tomorrow/7286874602/jane-and-so-with-a-name-like-fluckers-its-got
I always thought that tag should be; "With a name like Smucker's, it better be good."
Great column! Not for nothing you’re the best writer on this stuff!
It’s funny, one of the first words I learned in Swedish was “ingenting” which means “nothing” but I always felt it sounded like something (but that word is “någeting” or “nåt” which definitely sounds like no or nothing!)
And when I taught English, sometimes I’d stop correcting double negatives bec it almost sounded clearer.
If an Italian student said,
“I don’t want nothing”, I’d think… ok!
Thanks, Andrea! Just call me ... Negative Nancy.
Oh, branding ... the world has gone mad. Given that a walk down the aisles of Safeway or any other supermarket reveals a dizzying array of similar but supposedly different products, I can understand the challenge face by any item -- especially a new product -- standing out from the herd enough to be noticed, let alone purchased.
This reminds me of a family gathering long ago, when my mom -- then in her '70s, a woman who I'd never heard utter a discouraging word, much less curse -- had been gifted a big bottle of Mother Fuddrucker's Mustard.
(Yes, it's a real thing: https://ryanpark.wordpress.com/2004/03/04/mother-fuddruckers-mustard/)
At dinner, after a couple of glasses of wine, she decided to try the new mustard, but became confused, finally asking someone to "pass the, you know, the ... motherfuckers --" at which point she turned several shades of red while the rest of us collapsed with laughter.
Well, that's one brand name our family never forgot.
Ah, yes, Fuddruckers. https://www.fuddruckers.com/
I hear echoes of the punk era with songs like Pretty Vacant, No Action, Less Than Zero.
Good point. They were anti-consumerist, though; the new Nothings are very pro-consumerist.
Life imitates art…the Derelicte brand “glamorized” homelessness in Zoolander.
I read this with much amusement. As the owner of a Lack of Color hat, I have wondered... and what I decided is that it refers to how keeping your face shaded with a hat prevents you from getting a tan, i.e. getting some color.
And if you happen to be a melanin-rich hat-wearer…?
I know. Then it’s just racist.
Nice-looking hats, though.
The "UnCola" was 7-up, not Pepsi, as your link shows.
Oof, yes. Will fix as soon as my internet is restored.
"When your selling point is nothingness, it’s a challenge to offer satisfaction and fulfillment."
Like your example of Good for Nothing advising to "reject traditional measures of success or worth" while also suggesting / promising "good fortune."
I'd bet the name, "Bullshit" (or maybe, "Bullshit!") has been used for a product name. I don't know of a more appropriate name for a fashion product than "Bullshit."
I'm not sure if it would be a negative brand name.