Naming in A.D. 985
June 16th, 2008
It’s true. Even waaaay back then, they knew that a name had to have appeal.
During my vacation reading, I came across Norway’s Eirk the Red, who had to flee his home country “because of some killings.” Sailing west, Eirk came across a glacial frontier which he called “Greenland.” His reasoning for calling this piece of wasteland which has no arable soil and is three-fourths sheet ice Greenland: “People would be attracted to go there if it had a favorable name.”
Ah…truth in advertising (or lack thereof). No wonder people don’t trust marketing.
Source: A Voyage Long and Strange – Tony Horwitz
(Buy HERE and support your local independent booksellers!!)
Other posts by Spike.
Whit says:
Great example of using the unknown with a good name to entice people who don’t know any better. I see similar marketing for Myrtle Beach (self-named “America’s Beach Playground), then you get there and see its Senior Week for a bunch of random high schools and immediately regret the 9 hour drive.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:35 amSpike says:
Whit, thanks for the comment. That makes me think that wouldn’t it be cool if there was a resource that let people know the nicknames that the locals give destinations? We call Greenville “Greevegas” (although some are petitioning for “Greenhattan”). And around here we call Myrtle Beach the “Redneck Riviera.”
June 16th, 2008 at 11:38 amThe Nichepreneur Coach » Blog Archive » What’s In A Name? A Nichepreneur’s Guide says:
[...] I’m not the only one who thinks it’s important. If you look at this post on the Brains on Fire blog you’ll see the trend has been around since the dawn of time. Especially recommended if [...]
June 17th, 2008 at 8:22 am