Are we crabby about the "theft" of Natty
Apparently, the new nickname of Natural Lite, the InBev light beer, is Natty Light.
Stuart Elliot asks in his column in The New York Times today if fans of Natty Boh are upset that this nickname is very similar to that of Baltimore's once favorite beer.
In other words, can you call a beer Natty if you don't go "down the ocean."
Is this an affront to our local argot?
Is this another example of corporate marketers twisting local loyalties?
Or is it just one thin beer using the clever name of another thin beer to gain market edge.?
Whose your Natty?
Photo: Capital News Service
Comments
I saw this commercial last week, and it did strike an off note with me. However, "Natty Light" is not a new nickname for Natural Light. I remember this very cheap beer being popular in the college/post-grad circuit 10+ years ago, and "Natty Light" was it's common nickname. I don't know where it came from: Baltimore youths who didn't know any better substituing "light" in place of "boh"? Just a coincidence?
But it is interesting that InBev has now picked up on this organic nickname and uses it in their ads.
Posted by: J | July 6, 2009 12:10 PM
I was under the impression this was brewed by the same folks hence why they could use the name.
I could and probably am very wrong though.
Posted by: Mr. K | July 6, 2009 1:19 PM
I would agree that the term "Natty Light" is becoming more and more popular. It has made me stop and think for a moment which beer was being reffered to.
Posted by: Chris | July 6, 2009 2:36 PM
I'm with J above. When I was in college (I graduated in 1997) I distinctly remember people calling "Natural Light" Natty. And several people I know here that have never heard of Natty Boh called it that.
It's also important to note that "natty" is a word in its own right--old and rarely used but linguistic encouragement can come from all manner of places.
I say, people using "Natty Light" just gives Baltimorians an opportunity to talk about Natty Boh. The beer lives on as you attempt to reclaim the name.
Posted by: Jim | July 6, 2009 7:54 PM
We were calling it Natty Light when I was in college circa 1995.
Posted by: Jeff | July 6, 2009 10:10 PM
AB had a commercial to tell us what to call it in the '70s
Just Say Natural
link here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egr3HFB7hc4
Posted by: Moondoggy | July 7, 2009 6:58 PM
Yes. It p*$$es me off.
Posted by: rick | July 8, 2009 10:03 AM
I feel like I need to weigh in too. Until I read this blog I had only heard of Natural Light/Ice referred to as "Natty." The first time was probably over 10 years ago. It seems a bit silly that people are only getting angry about it now.
Posted by: Chris2 | July 10, 2009 1:39 AM
Garbage light lager by any name really doesn't matter. It all tastes like water.
Posted by: Thomas | July 10, 2009 11:14 PM