Right Word - Wrong Picture

[NetShrine]

I was driving in this AM listening to 106.3 and they were playing a Matchbox 20 song. I thought about the word "Matchbox" - - - clearly it is a word with explicit intent towards definition: MATCH - BOX - - - - as in a box in which matches are contained.

Yet, to me, and probably millions and millions of others, when you hear "Matchbox" - instantaneously, without deep reflection, the first immediate thought that comes to your mind is a "small toy car."

I hear "Matchbox" and I see the Hot Wheels toy - not the small box with the striker on the side.

Are there any other words out there like this? Meaning SO CLEAR on what they are supposed to mean but they still bring up another image?

[Jen]

Behold the power of advertising.

Net, why were you listening to a Matchbox Twenty song, that's what I want to know. :D

The only thing I can even remotely think of to answer your question would be Rumrunner. Sure, it's a drink, but after spending 2 years in Key West, I can only think of those brave Jamaican Pirates who risked life and limb on the high seas to make sure southern Floridians had something tasty to drink. Is that good enough? This question is too hard. I need a drink.

[NetShrine]

Dunno if Rumrunner makes the cut Jen?

M20? Well, just pure laziness, as always. Couldn't be bothered changing the channel. Figured it would be over in 4 minutes anyway. (Oh, that's begging for a sex pun.)

[Jen]

Well, I don't think it makes the cut on second thought...but whenever I heard somebody order a rumrunner, I always thought "Yeah, I could go for a Jamacian right now myself." Heehee!

Laziness is no excuse for not changing the radio dial when crap rock is on. Four minutes? Hmmmm...I won't touch that one.

[Duque]

This may not apply, but there's a ton of old nautical terms (by and large, for example) that are used in common conversation today.

Lot of military ones too - when someone says "Marine," I don't think of the ocean, or "Airborne."

[NetShrine]

Most don't know that "The Whole Nine Yards" was a military expression first.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Unrelated to the thread, but yesterday I was flying home from a trip and the pilot's name was Captain Morgan. I am still laughing.

[NetShrine]

Every time Rodney says "Thank you Dean Martin" to Ned Beatty in BACK TO SCHOOL, I crack up too.