"pre-owned"

[Bob Haas]

I remember about ten years ago, Lexus began marketing "certified pre-owned"
cars, the hook being that these were previously owned cars that had been
given a thorough over by Lexus dealers to be sold with some backing/warranty
by the owners.  The reason I specifically remember Lexus is that I watched
an entire 30-minute infomercial about this sometime around 1990-92.  I
thought it was a pretty savvy idea on the part of Lexus to introduce their
product to folks who might not normally consider buying it.  Now some other
luxury car marques are doing the same.  I checked out BMW's pre-owned page a
while back.

It's still a euphemism, but laughingly clever.  And I've noticed some people
using it, which is weird.  I accept pre-owned on paper or on the television,
but I still say used in conversation.

On 9/27/01 12:14 PM, Bethany K. Dumas wrote:

> I have heard "pre-owned" as a euphemism for "used" for many years -
> initially only w/luxury autos.
>
> Bethany

--

Bob Haas
Department of English
High Point University

    "I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or
bitterness towards anyone."  Edith Cavell (1865-1915)