Where does this pattern of naming products come from?
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Where does this pattern of naming products come from?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I noticed that a lot of product names have random, cool-sounding letters in their name. They seem less random though when you realize that a lot of products use the same or similar random letters.
Examples of what I mean:
- Lexus GX (Car)
- Pokemone GX (Trading cards)
- Gatorade GX (Sports drink)
- Buick GX (Another car)
- Windows XP
- Disney XD (TV channel)
- Pokemon XD (Video game)
- Sony XPeria (Phone) (this one's different but it might fall in the same pattern)
It seems a lot of random products follow the same pattern, a letter X accompanied by another letter that just sounds cool with it. Is there a known origin for this naming pattern?
etymology
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
add a comment |
I noticed that a lot of product names have random, cool-sounding letters in their name. They seem less random though when you realize that a lot of products use the same or similar random letters.
Examples of what I mean:
- Lexus GX (Car)
- Pokemone GX (Trading cards)
- Gatorade GX (Sports drink)
- Buick GX (Another car)
- Windows XP
- Disney XD (TV channel)
- Pokemon XD (Video game)
- Sony XPeria (Phone) (this one's different but it might fall in the same pattern)
It seems a lot of random products follow the same pattern, a letter X accompanied by another letter that just sounds cool with it. Is there a known origin for this naming pattern?
etymology
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
1
from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
1
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
1
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44
add a comment |
I noticed that a lot of product names have random, cool-sounding letters in their name. They seem less random though when you realize that a lot of products use the same or similar random letters.
Examples of what I mean:
- Lexus GX (Car)
- Pokemone GX (Trading cards)
- Gatorade GX (Sports drink)
- Buick GX (Another car)
- Windows XP
- Disney XD (TV channel)
- Pokemon XD (Video game)
- Sony XPeria (Phone) (this one's different but it might fall in the same pattern)
It seems a lot of random products follow the same pattern, a letter X accompanied by another letter that just sounds cool with it. Is there a known origin for this naming pattern?
etymology
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
I noticed that a lot of product names have random, cool-sounding letters in their name. They seem less random though when you realize that a lot of products use the same or similar random letters.
Examples of what I mean:
- Lexus GX (Car)
- Pokemone GX (Trading cards)
- Gatorade GX (Sports drink)
- Buick GX (Another car)
- Windows XP
- Disney XD (TV channel)
- Pokemon XD (Video game)
- Sony XPeria (Phone) (this one's different but it might fall in the same pattern)
It seems a lot of random products follow the same pattern, a letter X accompanied by another letter that just sounds cool with it. Is there a known origin for this naming pattern?
etymology
etymology
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
asked Jun 2 at 3:55
OztacoOztaco
1362
1362
1
from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
1
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
1
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44
add a comment |
1
from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
1
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
1
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44
1
1
from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
1
1
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
1
1
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
This is more a question of psychology than etymology.
The resonance of X as a signifier of mysterious precision explains why
it’s so common in commerce and branding. The Jaguar X-Type. The 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X. The X2000, Sweden’s high-speed train. The
X-Acto knife. Mac OS X. The X game for Nintendo’s Game Boy.
Microsoft’s Xbox console. Vitamin Water XXX (with three antioxidants).
The X is a California roller coaster (the seats swivel around).
Product X is a protein powder for bodybuilders. The X-Vest adds weight
for exercise.
Article in Psychology Today, with copious references and links:
What's So Fascinating About the Letter "X"?
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
add a comment |
X is often used to abreviate a word that starts the with the "ex" sound like "extended","expanded","extreme" etc. or to represent the number 10 (roman numeral) , or words starting in cross (shape of the letter X)
- Lexus GX (Grand Crossover)
- IBM PC/XT (extended technnology)
- MX record (mail exchanger)
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
This is more a question of psychology than etymology.
The resonance of X as a signifier of mysterious precision explains why
it’s so common in commerce and branding. The Jaguar X-Type. The 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X. The X2000, Sweden’s high-speed train. The
X-Acto knife. Mac OS X. The X game for Nintendo’s Game Boy.
Microsoft’s Xbox console. Vitamin Water XXX (with three antioxidants).
The X is a California roller coaster (the seats swivel around).
Product X is a protein powder for bodybuilders. The X-Vest adds weight
for exercise.
Article in Psychology Today, with copious references and links:
What's So Fascinating About the Letter "X"?
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
add a comment |
This is more a question of psychology than etymology.
The resonance of X as a signifier of mysterious precision explains why
it’s so common in commerce and branding. The Jaguar X-Type. The 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X. The X2000, Sweden’s high-speed train. The
X-Acto knife. Mac OS X. The X game for Nintendo’s Game Boy.
Microsoft’s Xbox console. Vitamin Water XXX (with three antioxidants).
The X is a California roller coaster (the seats swivel around).
Product X is a protein powder for bodybuilders. The X-Vest adds weight
for exercise.
Article in Psychology Today, with copious references and links:
What's So Fascinating About the Letter "X"?
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
add a comment |
This is more a question of psychology than etymology.
The resonance of X as a signifier of mysterious precision explains why
it’s so common in commerce and branding. The Jaguar X-Type. The 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X. The X2000, Sweden’s high-speed train. The
X-Acto knife. Mac OS X. The X game for Nintendo’s Game Boy.
Microsoft’s Xbox console. Vitamin Water XXX (with three antioxidants).
The X is a California roller coaster (the seats swivel around).
Product X is a protein powder for bodybuilders. The X-Vest adds weight
for exercise.
Article in Psychology Today, with copious references and links:
What's So Fascinating About the Letter "X"?
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
This is more a question of psychology than etymology.
The resonance of X as a signifier of mysterious precision explains why
it’s so common in commerce and branding. The Jaguar X-Type. The 2008
Mitsubishi Evolution X. The X2000, Sweden’s high-speed train. The
X-Acto knife. Mac OS X. The X game for Nintendo’s Game Boy.
Microsoft’s Xbox console. Vitamin Water XXX (with three antioxidants).
The X is a California roller coaster (the seats swivel around).
Product X is a protein powder for bodybuilders. The X-Vest adds weight
for exercise.
Article in Psychology Today, with copious references and links:
What's So Fascinating About the Letter "X"?
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
answered Jun 2 at 8:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
7,60211322
7,60211322
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
add a comment |
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
I'm not sure that "X-Acto" really belongs in the list with those other examples, since it's just a brand-y spelling of "exact-o". (Note that it's even pronounced with the /gz/ of "exact" rather than the /ks/ of "X".) Likewise, the "X" in "Mac OS X" is the Roman numeral, and is officially supposed to be pronounced "ten" rather than "X".
– ruakh
Jun 2 at 23:16
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
As well as Mac OS X as @ruakh mentions, the Mitsubishi Evo X was actually the tenth incarnation, and all have had Roman numerals.
– Andrew Leach♦
Jun 2 at 23:49
add a comment |
X is often used to abreviate a word that starts the with the "ex" sound like "extended","expanded","extreme" etc. or to represent the number 10 (roman numeral) , or words starting in cross (shape of the letter X)
- Lexus GX (Grand Crossover)
- IBM PC/XT (extended technnology)
- MX record (mail exchanger)
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
add a comment |
X is often used to abreviate a word that starts the with the "ex" sound like "extended","expanded","extreme" etc. or to represent the number 10 (roman numeral) , or words starting in cross (shape of the letter X)
- Lexus GX (Grand Crossover)
- IBM PC/XT (extended technnology)
- MX record (mail exchanger)
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
add a comment |
X is often used to abreviate a word that starts the with the "ex" sound like "extended","expanded","extreme" etc. or to represent the number 10 (roman numeral) , or words starting in cross (shape of the letter X)
- Lexus GX (Grand Crossover)
- IBM PC/XT (extended technnology)
- MX record (mail exchanger)
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
X is often used to abreviate a word that starts the with the "ex" sound like "extended","expanded","extreme" etc. or to represent the number 10 (roman numeral) , or words starting in cross (shape of the letter X)
- Lexus GX (Grand Crossover)
- IBM PC/XT (extended technnology)
- MX record (mail exchanger)
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
answered Jun 2 at 5:20
JasenJasen
79549
79549
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
add a comment |
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
1
1
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
The XP in Windows XP represented "experience"
– Mari-Lou A
Jun 2 at 10:04
add a comment |
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from the marketing department?
– Jasen
Jun 2 at 4:52
1
@Jasen no, my question is where does this arbitrary naming pattern come from. Especially because the letters dont seem to be completely random, it's always specific patterns.
– Oztaco
Jun 2 at 4:59
In many cases they are copying a pattern from an earlier product, not always from the same manufacturer. "GT", appended to a car name, originally meant "Gran Turismo", but it was copied for cars (and many non-cars) that were clearly not designed for "grand touring", presumably because it seemed "macho".
– Hot Licks
Jun 2 at 12:07
1
our brains make endorphins when we find patterns, even if there is no pattern.
– Jasen
Jun 3 at 1:44