When I made my muffins yesterday, I realized I had absolutely no idea what canola oil was made from. Canola nuts? So I googled it and lo and behold canola oil is cultivated from rapeseed. Rapeseed! Wow, could that possibly be the worst name for a plant ever? Can you imagine having to market rapeseed?
This reminds me of an RV dealer here in the Midwest who advertises a lot on TV. His name – Tom Raper. Dude, if my last name were Raper I’d change it faster than if it were Hitler. Could there be a worse last name? Tom Defecator, Tom Pedophile, maybe? There was a teacher at my high school named Mrs. Finger. We always had a good giggle when her name was mentioned on the PA system.
On the positive side, the canola field looks quite lovely. It’s a shame about the name. BTW, the word Canola comes from the fact that it was bred in Canada to have a lower acid level. Canola stands for “Canadian oil, low acid.”
It’s known as “oilseed rape” here, which is even worse. And the fields (at least the ones around here, in central Scotland) are actually a much more day-glo yellow. Really bright. Sunglasses time.
Smellie is a not-unusual surname in Scotland; I think that’s pretty bad.
Oh my God! Tom Raper – yes! I remember him!!! I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and we used to get his ads. I remember aerial shots of rows upon rows of RVs – and the name of course. I always had the same thought – change your name or don’t use it in your business’ name! I enjoy reading your blog, by the way. Your swirling photos are terribly cool.
Hey, I lived in Louisville for 8 years! We probably saw the same ads. I suppose the one advantage with the that name is that it really sticks in your mind, if only for all the wrong reasons. I will never forget Tom Raper RVs.
Hey – I lived in L’ville for exactly 8 years too! 1980 – 1988. Nice place.
A little off topic, but along the same lines.. have you ever spaced out the word therapist? The Rapist.. that just freaks me out!