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From: gordon@trsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: Interesting use of language - (nf)
Message-ID: <3305@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Oct-83 00:19:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.3305
Posted: Mon Oct 24 00:19:03 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Oct-83 22:11:33 EDT
Lines: 42

#R:eisx:-62300:trsvax:54100007:000:1949
trsvax!gordon    Oct 16 16:28:00 1983

In reference to the article:

***********************************************************************
The other day I heard a radio ad for a white sale that touted:
		"Prices over 50%"
I cannot decide if this means "over 50% off the regular price" or "up
to 50% off the regular price".  My first reaction was "over 50%" but
when I heard it a second time, I began to think it was a slick way
of wording designed to make the potential customer think he/she is
getting a better deal than he/she really is.  ....
***********************************************************************
(End partial quote)

Since this is an advertisment, I would interpret "Prices over 50%"
as meaning that nothing was discounted lower than 50% of (not off) the
original price.  There is no implication that any prices were lowered, 
in fact, the ad is correct even if there were thousand-percent price 
increases on everything.  

Similarly, I always get a laugh out of the cold medicine commercials
that advertise "up to 24 hours of relief", and I hope someone will 
add "Guaranteed, your money back if it doesn't wear off within 24 hours
(side effects not included, of course)".  They are well protected against 
being sued, since it unlikely that if the product malfunctions and works 
better than expected, the user would be inclined to sue.  So far, I have 
not found any warranties that try this trick, but it's very common in ads.  
If I restate the claim to a store clerk ("Guaranteed to wear off in 24 
hours, if it ever had any effect at all") they usually start to contradict 
me, think a little, and change the subject.

				Gordon Burditt
				{microsoft,parsec!ctvax}!trsvax!sneaky!gordon

* UNIX is a trademark of AT&T *
* BIG MAC is a trademark of McDonalds

* Does anyone know whether "* UNIX is a trademark of AT&T" is claimed as a
trademark of anyone?  Can I make a fortune if I start selling 
"* UNIX is a trademark of AT&T" computers that run UN*X?