Fretalian
MRP has always had a particular peeve about commercial spellings (gee, for example, “Dunkin’ Donuts”) and made up words, but this latest ad really sticks in my craw.
You’ve heard it — a bunch of slightly unwashed, wrinkly dressed twentysomethings mixed in with bright eyed and bushy tailed career folk, all in a coffee shop vaguely mumbling words to that tune you.just.can’t.get.out.of.your.head: “My mouth can’t form these words/Is it French/or is it Italian?”
And then, at the key moment, the cashier, looking like Dana Carvey as the Church Lady, turns to the camera and joins in with that unforgettable line: “Perhaps Fretalian.”
Where’s the outrage that latte is not English? Therefore I am not ordering it in English, not that I would order it at all, but give me one of their chocolate honey dipped donuts any day, mmmmm forbidden donut. mmmmmm run on sentence.
Comment by The Mole — December 27, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
Moley — THANK you! You read my mind. I had *totally* forgotten that part which was “what’s the big deal about all the made up ‘Fretalian’ words but then they tell you to order a latte!”
Comment by mightyredpen — December 27, 2006 @ 7:45 pm
i am SO glad you brought this up. i cringe every time i hear “Fretalian”. but, you gotta admit it’s a good marketing campaign against Starbucks.
Comment by aud — December 28, 2006 @ 9:40 am