151. 15 PRODUCTS WITH UNUSUAL BRAND NAMES

A brand name defines and differentiates a product from its competitiors in the eyes of the customer. So important are brand names that they can make or break a product---a car manufacturer once named its new vehicle “Nova”, not knowing that “no va” meant “not going” in Spanish. On the other hand, there are perfect brand names like “Jollibee”, “Hapee” and “Mr.Clean” that evoke positive images of joy, clean living and fun. Before marketing experts offered their brand-naming services, many makers of products just coined their own brand names, resulting in odd, unusual names.

***********

1. ATOMI-CHLOR (Anti-fleas and ticks)

This liquid product, designed to rid pet dogs, insects, plants and lawns, was forlumated in the 1950s –known as the Atomic Age—hence the brand name ATOMI-CHLOR. The other half is derived from its active ingredient—Chlordane. The ad dates from 1951.

2. BARRY’S TRICOPHEROUS (For baldness, thinning hair and dandruff)

BARRY’S TRICOPHEROUS was introduced in the late 1840s by "professor" and former New York wig-maker, Alexander C. Barry. The product surprisingly did well in the market and was sold to Thomas Barclay in 1871, who sold it  until 1906. The product contains 97% alcohol, 1.5% castor oil, and 1% tincture of cantharides (Spanish fly), which supposedly help stimulate the scalp’s blood supply. The product is still being sold today.  Ads from 1951.

3. DUSGOCYL (For cough relief)

The name of this cough relief medication is a challenge to spelling bee contestants; DUSGOCYL sounds like the name of a prehistoric creature, a winged dinosaur perhaps—not some product that “combats cough at the start”. It actually contains Cocillana, which has expectorant properties.  Curiously, it also lists wild lettuce as among its ingredients.  Ad from 1935.

4. ELIXIR AURI-BROMIDE (For all acute and infectious coughs)

This elixir has a unique 24K gold tri-bromide ingredient from which its brand name was derived. “Aurum”, the chemical symbol for gold, plus “bromide”, resulted in ELIXR AURI-BROMIDE, that provides soothing relief for whooping coughs, bronchial asthma, pulmonary and other obstinate coughs. Ad from 1961.

5. GALISATUM (For all diseases of the skin)

GALISATUM was a skin ointment developed by Dr. Carlos Jahrling of Botica Sta. Cruz in the 1930s.  “Galis” was an all-encompassing local  term for any skin conditions—from scabies, eczema to skin chafing and mange.  “-Atum” was a suffix that was  commonly used in pharmaceuticl products  like “mentholatum”and “petrolatum”. Ad from 1936.

6. JAGGING JAGGING (Face Powder)

There really is no reason why a  cosmetic product guaranteed to make you “lovely to look at” be named JAGGING JAGGING. It is nonsensical, unfeminine and the sound is far from mellifluous. But  Chun Huat Pomade Factory, the manufacturer, did just that, making it hard to believe that Jagging Jagging  is indeed,  a “girls’ favorite”. Ad from 1934.

7. KULSO-ALIS (Anti-diarrhea, anti-dysentery)

Another product coming from Botica St. Cruz is  KULSO-ALIS, a concoction with a brand name that comes from “Kulso” (diarrhea, loose bowel movement) and “Alis” (to be free from, begone). It was a common way to coin brand names for products—Katialis, the popular skin cream was coined in the same way. It is interesting that Kulso-Alis lists Opium as one of its ingredients. Ad from 1937

8. MONG ALING (Remedy for anemia)

This medicine intended for a serious disease has such a comical-sounding name, that it’s hard to believe it can bring relief to anemic women and mothers with disorders associated with pregnancy and their menses. Even the ingredients do not give a clue as why it was named MONG ALING. To make it more difficult to decipher, the word and numbers “Silang Lab.  No. 8368”, are appended to the brand name. Is this a trademark registration number? It remains a mystery to this day. Ad from 1936.

9. ODORODO (Body odor protection)

The brand name of this early deodorant spray is a palindrome—ODORODO—it reads the same way when read backwards. Such literary devices were used to increase memorability of the brand name, but unfortunately Odorodo, even with its catchy name and unque Action-Proof formula, did not catch on. But at least, the euphemistic “B.O.” (for body other) is still in our vocabulary today. Ad from 1960.

10. PENETRO (For chest colds)

St. Joseph Laboratories gave us this medicated rub with  the name PENETRO, which conjures images of soothing, penetrating vapors to give relief to chest colds. But it is also ideal for tired feet, burns and other aches, which makes  ”Penetro” very apt, as it does sound almost like a name for a multi-powered superhero! Ca. 1935.

11. REUTER’S  SOAP (Skin Soap)

The early toilet soap designed to beautify a woman’s complexion is a trademark of Lanman & Kemp-Barclay & Co., Inc., The company, itself was founded in 1808 by Robert I. Murray and its business was conducted under the firm name Murray & Lanman in New York.  The brand name--REUTER’S SOAP-- has nothing to do with the world-famous news bureau. It was named after its creator, Dr. John Reuter. The classic bar soap was sold under its Spanish brand name, Jabon de Reuter, in the Philippines. The company still is in cooperation today with headquarters in Westwood, New Jersey, and continues to sell the soap.  Ads from early 1950s.

12. SAIZ DE CARLOS (Stomach elixir against gas and diarrhea)

It would seem at first that this brand name came from someone named Carlos the Sixth.  However, the famous stomach elixir  bears the name of its maker, pharmacist and doctor Ramón Sáiz de Carlos (b.26  Jan. 1857) whose interest in oenological research led him to pursue laboratory work and develop new medicines and drugs. The acclaimed  Sáiz de Carlos gave his name to such new products that were exported all over the world---Neuranémico, Dinamogeno, Reumator, Purgantina,  Quinofebrina and the popular SAIZ DE CARLOS ELIXIR ESTOMACAL, recommended for gas pains and diarrhea. In the Philippines, the product was distributed by Metro Drugs.

13. SUSPIRO DE AMOR (Women’s perfume)

Not a exactly an odd name, but certainly mysterious, if not sensual. SUSPIRO DE AMOR—“Sigh of Love”—is the brand name of this lady’s perfume guaranteed to arouse passion and love. Even the ad copy is full of innuendos—“the lady languishes  on her silken couch—she murmurs in accents of wild sweetness—“Midnight and after!”. Ad from 1951.

14. TIMOSINA (For cough relief)

Thymosins, small proteins in animal tissues, were originally isolated from the thymus, hence the name. They are used in mucolytics and expectorants to clear coughs, improve hydrations and volume of secretions. TIMOSINA Cough Syrup, a product of the pharmaceutical company in the Philippines—Botica Boie--  is the Spanish term for thymosin. It is indicated for convulsive spasms of whooping coughs. Ad from 1953.

15. VIN DÉSILES (Energy drink)

The brand name of this revitalizing drink popular in the 1950s seem anachronistic as it sound like the name of contemporary Hollywood action star, Vin Diesel. VIN DÉSILES, which claims to restore energy and appetite, was distributed by Oceanic Commercial, Inc. in the Philippines. ca. early 1950s.