Let's take Apple for example...
iPods are nothing new. We all know this. Yet Apple is calling them "new and improved". Let's think about that for a moment, shall we?
If something's new, that's just what it is. No one's ever heard of it before. Since we're talking about Apple, we'll use iPhones for that example. No one had ever heard of iPhones before they were announced, hence them being new.
When something has been improved, it's definitely not "new" because it's obviously been around for a while if it needed improving. The "improved" iPods being called "new" as well makes no sense at all!
Nothing can be "new and improved" at the same time!
Have I totally lost you, or do you agree?
2007-09-06 05:03:35 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
After WWII there was a lot of research done by manufacturers to study packaging of items on supermarket shelves. They built it into a regular science, what kinds of packages attract the customers' attention. What colors, what kind of lettering, etc.
They found that two words got the most attention, 'FREE' and 'NEW'. This is why you see 'caffeine FREE' rather than 'Contains no caffeine'.
You're right, 'new and improved' is an oxymoron, but that phrase has become part of our language. Everyone knows what it means. A lot of pancake mixes and laundry soaps have been changed in very minor ways just so their manufacturers could label them, in letters 2 inches high, 'NEW AND IMPROVED!'
The iPod and iPhone are also in that category of product, along with razors and toothbrushes, that you can't make the same model very long, you always have to have something new, even if it's not any better.
2007-09-06 05:16:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I haven't thought of it before but you are correct. A new product cannot be improved because it's new. How can you improve something if it didn't exist before? By the same logic, something cannot be new if it's been improved. I think it's a just a phrase that somewhere along the line advertising people made up and people use it without even thinking about it anymore. English is full of meaningless phrases like that.
2007-09-06 12:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by luckythirteen 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I see where you are coming from, but now I really have a headache from thinking about it and can't truly answer the way I'd like.
It's the same as when my husband says, "Same difference". How can something be the same and different at the same time. But I get it. It's just a catch phrase. Ok, now it's time for me to pop a couple of aspirin to work out this headache.
2007-09-06 12:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by astroeyes2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I could also argue that since it has been changed it is new because it is not exactly the same it is now new but also improved.
2007-09-06 12:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by ktychaos13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People. Even with all the body part replacements taking place people are still inherently used and since we're still commiting the same acts of stupidity as humans have since the beginning of time it's safe to say, with all vanity, pride and ego aside, that people have definitely failed at improvement. So much for the self-help industry.
2007-09-06 12:08:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
well it can be a NEW year and or MODEL.. they IMPOROVED the previouse model.
Cars that come out each year are NEW.. and they tend to be better than the previous years model. so that woudl make it NEW and IMPROVED!
A common item, be it laundry soap, home appliances or vehicles. can all be NEW (Vs. Used) and have IMPROVED qualities to them. (ie: more user friendly, more energy conservation, made with better quality parts etc etc...)
2007-09-06 12:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by grapelady911 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
while I agree, this is how I see it. you can technically say that something is new, if the product is different. yes, there may have been a product before, but because of its new properties you can call it "new" because it is not technically the SAME. however, I do agree, they just say that because it sounds good.
2007-09-06 12:07:49 · answer #7 · answered by Filet Mignon 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's like when you see a commercial for a product, and they say "if you order now, you'll get a FREE GIFT". Isn't that the point of a gift? I don't like to pay for my presents.
2007-09-06 12:09:06 · answer #8 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Disagree.
It's not old and improved....
We've all heard of a new car before....
How about a new and improved bicycle?
2007-09-06 12:10:50 · answer #9 · answered by RidiculousQstioner w/Vengeance 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was thinking just the opposite, that if it is new it should be improved. :o)
2007-09-06 16:13:45 · answer #10 · answered by garry s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋