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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.
- [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.
- " I've seen other comments to the same effect as yours.
- But in real life, people choose the meaning that makes sense, usually without even thinking about alternatives unless, that is, they're the kind of people who post to groups like this.
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13 Answers
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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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