I love advertising of a certain standard.

What I find baffling though is the seemingly correct choice of wording which doesn't make sense.

Take for instance "shampoo for greasy hair".
Surely, the intention is to get rid of greasy hair and therefore it should read "shampoo against greasy hair" (or dandruff or whatever).
Has this to do with "positive thinking" and sellability?

Bea

I think it might be the OED's definition 12d: "Introducing the intended recipient, or the thing to which something is intended to belong, or in connection with which it is to be used."

For instance: a box for letters, soap for washing, drinks for the guests, etc.

Among the many positive features of English, making sense is not one of them! Now if someone would just invent a shampoo against baldness...

Why is "hair" both singular and plural? It isn't in some languages.

Hairless Geoff

And why does the term change daily:
"Hair" today, :gone" tomorrow.

When you check dictionary.com for a definition of for, one definition is "purpose of." So I can see that definition here, rather than "for or against." Great question!

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff:
Among the many positive features of English, making sense is not one of them! Now if someone would just invent a shampoo against baldness...

Why is "hair" both singular and plural? It isn't in some languages.

Hairless Geoff

Are you just splitting hairs?