General

Max iPad (oops!)

Name of new Apple tabled evokes unintended associations

Let’s play word association, OK? Here’s one: iPad. Your first reaction? For many, the name of the new Apple tablet did not conjure up images of svelte high-tech e-readers. Rather, it brought to mind associations with feminine hygiene products. “I care about words and their connotations, but you don’t have to be in junior high to make this leap. A lot of women when they hear the word ‘pad’ are going to think about feminine hygiene,” said Robin Bernstein, a Long Island, NY-based corporate speech writer. In fact, in the hours after Apple announced its new iPad, “iTampon” became one of the most popular topics on Twitter. A wave of mock feminine hygiene commercials—one, depicting a pad with an Apple logo on it—also followed. Apple has declined to comment on the subject.

New York Times

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.