Fun Slogans Seen in California

By C. MacDonald

"Got Milk?" (California Milk Processor Board)

I've always found slogans fascinating. Products and businesses— from large chains to a small store—all try to differentiate themselves and attract customers by coming up with catchy slogans. Some work and some don't. The secret to a good slogan is to keep it simple, easy to understand and easy to remember. "The Ultimate Driving Machine" (BMW) "Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand" (M&Ms) "Bet You Can't Eat Just One" (Lays Potato Chips) "Where's the Beef?" (Wendy's)

Slogans with humor are sometimes especially  memorable. Back in the 1970s, someone stuck a bumper sticker on a San Diego County Coroner's Van that said, "I Want Your Body." (This was a slogan for a fitness club.) I jotted down some funny slogans over the years. A restaurant in San Francisco had a sign in the window which said, "Don't Stand There and Be Hungry. Come In and Get Fed Up." (How's that for California creativity?)

There was a sign on a septic tank truck in Campbell, which said, "Yesterday's Meals on Wheels." A Sacramento proctologist, with a sense of humor, had a sign on his door that said, "To expedite your visit, please back in." A Los Angeles advertising agency once hit a nerve in the corporate world with a campaign saying, "We're running your idea through proper channels. One flush should do it!"

Speaking of flushes, a Huntington Beach plumber, Rob "Crocodile" Champion, has on his truck: "You're Number Two Business is Our Number One Priority."

Sometimes companies may or may not even know they're creating a humorous slogan. One auto repair chain boasted, "We guarantee fast service, no matter how long it takes."

My favorite all-time slogans were created by Burma Shave (brushless shaving cream). From 1926 to 1963, witty slogans and messages appeared on a series of billboards aimed at the driver and passengers. As a kid, I looked forward to reading these creative words of wisdom, one billboard at a time. "Shaving Brushes," "You'll Soon See 'Em," "On the Shelf," "In Some Museum" "Burma Shave." For years, these eye-catching words propelled company sales and became a major part of California and American lore.

Creativity is still alive. Some of it works. Some of it doesn't. Have fun keeping your eye out for fun slogans today.