Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Nothing is better than...
A commonly used phrase I see in advertising is 'Nothing is better than '. However, if nothing is better than brand X, why use brand X at all? Aka, using or doing nothing, instead of brand X will be at least as effective as the object referred to.
It seems as though it is being said that brand X is completely ineffectual, but they want you to use or buy it anyways. Which seems often the case. I know that the intention is to say that there is no thing which is better than the object in question.
I suppose that this all comes down to the definition of nothing. If nothing is the total absence of everything, and not the tangable expression of the non-existence of anything, then the meaning is as the user intends. It all seems a bit silly but I have been wondering about this for years.
Personally, philosophically I concieve 'nothing' to be as tangable as something.
Help!
Jon R.
It seems as though it is being said that brand X is completely ineffectual, but they want you to use or buy it anyways. Which seems often the case. I know that the intention is to say that there is no thing which is better than the object in question.
I suppose that this all comes down to the definition of nothing. If nothing is the total absence of everything, and not the tangable expression of the non-existence of anything, then the meaning is as the user intends. It all seems a bit silly but I have been wondering about this for years.
Personally, philosophically I concieve 'nothing' to be as tangable as something.
Help!
Jon R.
Top answer
[nq:1]A commonly used phrase I see in advertising is 'Nothing is better than '. However, if nothing is better than ... [/nq] Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago.
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[nq:1]A commonly used phrase I see in advertising is 'Nothing is better than '. However, if nothing is better than ... Aka, using or doing nothing, instead of brand X will be at least as effective as the object referred to.[/nq]
Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."
I've seen other comments to the same effect as your
Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."
I've seen other comments to the same effect as your
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[nq:2]A commonly used phrase I see in advertising is 'Nothing ... be at least as effective as the object referred to.[/nq]
[nq:1]Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."[/nq]
And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus,
who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending
on which paper you read, to outwit the c
[nq:1]Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."[/nq]
And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus,
who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending
on which paper you read, to outwit the c
00
[nq:2]Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."[/nq]
[nq:1]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
Since when I have used no other.
Mike.
[nq:1]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
Since when I have used no other.
Mike.
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Mike Lyle typed thus:
[nq:2]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
[nq:1]Since when I have used no other.[/nq]
"Nothing works faster than Anadin".
So, take nothing.
David
==
[nq:2]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
[nq:1]Since when I have used no other.[/nq]
"Nothing works faster than Anadin".
So, take nothing.
David
==
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[nq:2]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
[nq:1]Since when I have used no other.[/nq]
Better is Nothing
John Dean
Oxford
[nq:1]Since when I have used no other.[/nq]
Better is Nothing
John Dean
Oxford
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[nq:1]Mike Lyle typed thus:[/nq]
[nq:1]"Nothing works faster than Anadin". So, take nothing.[/nq]
I once saw the following (damned if I can remember where):
'What could look better on a blushing bride than a white silk wedding dress? The answer - and I'm sure you'll agree - is "nothing"'.
Mike M
[nq:1]"Nothing works faster than Anadin". So, take nothing.[/nq]
I once saw the following (damned if I can remember where):
'What could look better on a blushing bride than a white silk wedding dress? The answer - and I'm sure you'll agree - is "nothing"'.
Mike M
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Michael West filted:
[nq:2]Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."[/nq]
[nq:1]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
Ah, so you've found Nemo..
Does "all my men wear English Leather or they wea
[nq:2]Lewis Carroll was playing around with this same notion well over a century ago. Go to and search for "nobody."[/nq]
[nq:1]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
Ah, so you've found Nemo..
Does "all my men wear English Leather or they wea
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Mike Mooney typed thus:
[nq:2]"Nothing works faster than Anadin". So, take nothing.[/nq]
[nq:1]I once saw the following (damned if I can remember where): 'What could look better on a blushing bride than a white silk wedding dress? The answer - and I'm sure you'll agree - is "nothing"'.[/nq]
The reverse idea was used in an advert for Soccer replica kit, possibly Man U. A 20-something gi
[nq:2]"Nothing works faster than Anadin". So, take nothing.[/nq]
[nq:1]I once saw the following (damned if I can remember where): 'What could look better on a blushing bride than a white silk wedding dress? The answer - and I'm sure you'll agree - is "nothing"'.[/nq]
The reverse idea was used in an advert for Soccer replica kit, possibly Man U. A 20-something gi
00
[nq:1]A commonly used phrase I see in advertising is 'Nothing is better than '. However, if nothing is better than ... Aka, using or doing nothing, instead of brand X will be at least as effective as the object referred to.[/nq]
I'm still chuckling over "the powder that removes dirt and smells" and "Bernard Matthews turkeys- they're Norfolk 'n' good"
I'm still chuckling over "the powder that removes dirt and smells" and "Bernard Matthews turkeys- they're Norfolk 'n' good"
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[nq:1]Michael West filted:[/nq]
[nq:2]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
[nq:1]Ah, so you've found Nemo.. Does "all my men wear English Leather or they wear nothing at all" belong in this class?...r[/nq]
The Orlando Predators (arena football) are known for their ra
[nq:2]And leevus not forget the resourceful Odysseus, who claimed to be "No Man" or "Nobody", depending on which paper you read, to outwit the cyclops.[/nq]
[nq:1]Ah, so you've found Nemo.. Does "all my men wear English Leather or they wear nothing at all" belong in this class?...r[/nq]
The Orlando Predators (arena football) are known for their ra
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