I was trying to find out if the big container of Crisco was called a canister, can, jar, tub, pail, bucket or something else, and noticed this rather ambitious bit of copy…
[trashes kitchen in Crisco-fueled rage]
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Tag Archives: writing
“Big bubbles. No troubles.” — Sir Mix-a-Lot (attributed)
What a great way to introduce a new brand.
Look at the sheer amount of copy in this comic book ad aimed at kids!
The copywriter even got “akimbo” and “dadgum” approved!
Wowie-zowie! I’m impressed.
Note: I had no idea Hubba Bubba was available in mint flavor back in 1980.
Today’s Comic Book English Lesson: Owlhoot
Quite simply, in Old West times, an owlhoot was a bad guy.
Find out more about owlhoots from Word Histories and True West Magazine.
See? Comic books are good for you!
The perfect word.
Behold, the out-of-print poster you never knew you wanted.
Always proofread.
“lickin’ and larnin’”
Abraham Lincoln
his hand and pen.
he will be good but
god knows When
Historical note: The poem in the ad is a Lincoln original written in his math book when he was in his teens. Would you like to know more?
A bit of Inkograph history can be found here.
(I’m assuming that the “lickin’” has something to do with old-timey writing instruments to get the ink flowing, but I could be wrong. Also, I’m trying to keep things clean.)
Continue readingJust my type.
I thought I had a chance at this wonderfully odd Williams typewriter invented by John Newton Williams and the first typewriter where the typist could actually see what they just typed (Williams also invented one of the first helicopters and a 3-cylinder motorcycle). It was the first item up for auction. The typewriter went for $1,200. I did not have a chance.
And that’s why Bob in Accounting is no longer allowed to write advertising copy.
As I trudged through this rambling, convoluted bit of century-old writing, I started to hear it in the voice of Mojo Jojo (Roger L. Jackson) from The Powerpuff Girls and it suddenly became much, much better.
Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company ad found on the back cover of a 1917 Life magazine.
It still doesn’t explain the blacksmith though.
“Umm… Excuse me, but why am I even in this ad?”
Shirking Boredom with Airplane Safety Instruction Cards
On the last leg of my flight from Seattle to Bismarck, I went looking for a diversion.
This is what happened. Continue reading
When the VP of Sweaters tells you to hurry the heck up and send out that darn Target email already!
So close.
It happens to the best of us.