Are you cheugy? We just love when a word is created to clarify a meaning of something that has no name. We absolutely love naming because it provides just that opportunity
Cheugy
Check out this #tellthetruths video to find out not only what the hell cheugy means, but how brands and new ideas can capitalize on it.
This video originally appeared in LinkedIn
If you enjoyed this video, check out:
Transcript:
– Have you heard of the word “cheugy?” If you haven’t heard of cheugy, it’s probably because you’re cheugy. It’s a new word that basically means out of date, but not like all the way out of date, like your grandmother’s not cheugy, but if you’re still wearing something from five years ago, or like into something that the internet has decided is not cool, then you’re cheugy. I know, it’s hard to keep up. I had never heard of it because of the oldness and the cheugy of me. But, why I wanted to talk about it with you here is because, as I’m learning about this word, I’m seeing the internet filled with people saying, “thank you for this! I needed a name for this concept!” And I always love that.
I love when we borrow words from other languages, because we just don’t have the word. When something comes into being and clarifies in our mind, because we finally have the word for it. Why I’m talking about it here is because imagine if you have the opportunity to do that with a brand, you know? And there’s lots of examples. Certainly when introducing new things, well-named new products and services become that name, the name for that idea in the, in the culture. And that is like paydirt.
But the other reason why I thought it was interesting to talk about it is because it’s a real double-edged sword. When you do that, then you are in the dangerous territory of becoming generic. It’s your Xeroxes and your Kleenexes, and your Jacuzzis and your Rollerblades! Did I forget any, Cha? What about Scotch Tape? And Scotch Tape! I mean, there’s a lot of examples like that. In Spanish, in Puerto Rico, at least, we say Chiclets, Chicle, for gum. It’s the word for gum, right? So, that’s terrible. You’re fighting lawsuits all the time if that happens to you.
But it’s kind of a high rent problem because it means that, in the consumer mind, your name and this idea are melded together. So, I don’t even know, this isn’t really advice, it’s just commentary. I don’t know what to do with that, except like how awesome is it if you’re in that position, and get good lawyers. Let me know what you think. Bye!
