I was just emptying the trash the other day and I ran across a Q-tip. I was looking at it wondering why they would come up with a Q then tip. Do they think the shape of the human ear is in the shape of a "Q"? I don't get it. Anyone else get it?
2007-04-03 04:51:58 · 13 answers · asked by kattiegrl2004 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_343.html
A stick going into an orifice can look like a Q.
But they say it was really Quality Tips.
2007-04-03 04:57:31 · answer #1 · answered by datgirl88 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Q Tips With Wooden Sticks
2016-10-21 11:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by tapp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Q-TIPS
The Q-tip was invented in the 1920's Leo Gerstenzang (a Polish-born American). His wife had used a toothpick with cotton stuck on the end to clean their baby's ears, and Leo invented Q-tips to replace her jury-rigged invention. Gerstenzang's original Q-tips consisted of a wooden stick swathed in cotton at both ends; much later, the wood was replaced by white cardboard. Gerstenzang started the Infant Novelty Company to sell Q-tips (which he then called Baby Gays); in 1926, he changed the name of his product to Q-Tips® Baby Gays. The Q stood for "quality". Eventually, the name changed to Q-tips. Doctors today advise that you should not use Q-tips to clean inside your ears. Q-tips, however, have many other uses, including cleaning small areas (like jewelry or the space between computer keys), applying glue, spreading paint, etc.
2007-04-03 04:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once he perfected his product, he needed to find a catchy name. Lots of names must have gone through his head. I can hear it now: Leo Gerstenzang's Ear Sticks. How about Baby Leo's? Or Ear Wipes?
A better name was clearly needed.
I bet that you think Q-Tips® was his choice.
You'd be wrong.
Instead, he chose the name Baby Gays.
Huh?
Yes, you read that right - Baby Gays. Certainly not a good name for the late 20th century.
In 1926, he changed the name to Q-Tips® Baby Gays.
So what did the Q stand for?
Q for Quality.
2007-04-03 04:56:18 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. X 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were originally called 'Baby Gays'
In 1926, the creator changed the name to Q-Tips® Baby Gays.
The Q stands for quality!
Eventually, the Baby Gays part of the name was dropped and the rest is cotton swab history.
2007-04-03 04:56:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the history section on the official Q-tips site, the "Q" stands for quality. But the familiar cotton-tipped swab wasn't always known by this quirky moniker.
2007-04-03 04:55:43 · answer #6 · answered by mikeydonatelli 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They call them Q-tips, because the "Q" stands for quality and the "tips" comes from that the swabs are at the ends of the tips.
Q-tips were actually originally called "baby gays". Hmm...
2007-04-03 04:58:55 · answer #7 · answered by K W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. The Q-tips website doesn't say, but here is the name & contact info for their representitive:
Stacie Bright
Unilever Home and Personal Care
203.625.1130
stacie.bright@unilever.com
2007-04-03 05:00:38 · answer #8 · answered by roscoedeadbeat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Q stands for Quality. Random Trivia: The prototype name was Baby Gays.
2007-04-03 04:59:01 · answer #9 · answered by Le Flash 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Q-tip is the brand name of the cotton swabs.
The Q stands for quality.
Check out this site:
http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/q-tips/
2007-04-03 04:56:17 · answer #10 · answered by cheetahgrrl623 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋