I'm starting to see the expression Pre-Owned everywhere.
I first came across it years ago at Blockbusters describing second hand videos for sale.
Now I see it all over Ebay.
In the past the word Used was sufficient, which again simply meant second hand.
I suppose actually saying second hand is too close to the truth and as such its just too cruddy a phrase.
So in the modern rush for euphemisms I suspect the pecking order for these phrases is:
1. Pre-owned
2. Used
3. Second Hand
What do you think readers?
Yeah, I was just noticing this last night, regarding a book I've been wanting. What would have been 'used' is now 'pre-owned'. I'm not sure if it's the sellers doing it or Ebay... if 'used' has some different legal connotation.
ReplyDeleteI guess it doesn't matter, but it did set off a tiny alarm in my mind that someone was up to shenanigans.
I suppose it doesn't matter I agree as long as people know what new trendy phrases mean. What's next, Prior Possession?
Deletemy biggest gripe is the buttock-clenchingly cheesy label 'pre-loved'. Ridiculous!
ReplyDeletePre-loved? I prefer Dumped!
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