Putting the blue in blue collar

By David Allen on June 22, 2011 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) |

smittys 002.jpg

Racy but harmless double-entendres on contractors' trucks are a small fascination of mine. In my Sonoma County days, an electrician memorably vowed, "We look into your shorts," with the two O's in "look" having pupils that seemed to peer downward. Meanwhile, a tiler's fleet promised: "We lay anything."

I haven't seen anything quite that funny since, but the slogan of Smitty's Plumbing, on a truck spotted recently in Upland, is either No. 1 or No. 2 with me.

3 Comments

John E. Bredehoft said:

Let the jokes flow.

When we think about advertising, we often think about the large multi-billion dollar firms. But companies such as Smitty's Plumbing -- a company that will never buy a Super Bowl ad -- are far more numerous, and therefore need extra effort to stand out in the crowd. Whether the ad strategies work or not depends upon each individual. (Speaking of one of Smitty's better-known competitors, I really don't care if my plumber smells good. Who cares if my plumber smells like Chanel #5; I want a plumber who removes the #2 smell.)

June 22, 2011 8:55 AM

Ramona said:

I guess I'm a prude but double-entendres are a real turn-off for me. As are puns.

I would hesitate to call a contractor with such a slogan because I would wonder if I would be submitted to more of the same from the repairman. Probably not but there are plenty of contractors around and if your ad or slogan offends me you won't get a call from me.

Gotta go now and chase those pesky kids off my lawn.

[Can't blame you. If I were a woman, I wouldn't hire a contractor who promises "We lay anything." Definitely a holdover from a male-dominated time. -- DA]

June 22, 2011 9:38 AM

shirley wofford said:

As far as commercials, by plumbers, go: None agitates me more than, "A-DEE DO!"

June 23, 2011 9:49 AM