Just curious: Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS? The former takes fifteen characters to type, including spaces, while the latter takes only three. No one seems...

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS? The former takes fifteen characters to type, including spaces, while the latter takes only three. No one seems to have a problem with typing FexEx; I have never seen it called “big white truck.” Think about it.

There, now I have completed my English teacher rant for the day.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Amen!

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

jaymatt wrote:

Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS? The former takes fifteen characters to type, including spaces, while the latter takes only three. No one seems to have a problem with typing FexEx; I have never seen it called “big white truck.” Think about it.

There, now I have completed my English teacher rant for the day.

Hey, John, evidently you have a problem typing "FedEx". Read your post. lol.
Don't take it wrong, I'm just kidding around with you.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

We are all here to support your rant. Hopefully you feel better now.
I guess for some it sound more sexy.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

John, English teachers always have problem with folks being, like, "cool". LOL

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jaymatt wrote:

Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS?
.....

They think it's a cute moniker?
(I don't...)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jaymatt wrote:

Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS? The former takes fifteen characters to type, including spaces, while the latter takes only three. No one seems to have a problem with typing FexEx; I have never seen it called “big white truck.” Think about it.

There, now I have completed my English teacher rant for the day.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

"Big Brown Truck" sounds somewhat endearing, and the term is usually associated with a happy event--delivery.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Kmgw9v wrote:

"Big Brown Truck" sounds somewhat endearing, and the term is usually associated with a happy event--delivery.

Maybe they should call it the "Happy Truck"? /s
(That would cover UPS as well as FedEx, Amazon, USPS, etc.)

davefales Loc: Virginia

My theory is that brown is generally considered an unexciting color, and the "big brown truck" moniker was originally conceived as a put down. Over time the term has become endearing to some/many.

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

Why not just another acronym BBT?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BillFeffer wrote:

Why not just another acronym BBT?

(Too close to BB&T.)

spaceylb Loc: Long Beach, N.Y.

BillFeffer wrote:

Why not just another acronym BBT?

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

jaymatt wrote:

Why do folks use the term “big brown truck” instead of UPS? The former takes fifteen characters to type, including spaces, while the latter takes only three. No one seems to have a problem with typing FexEx; I have never seen it called “big white truck.” Think about it.

There, now I have completed my English teacher rant for the day.

The FexEx truck is here... ooops!

ELNikkor

"Big Brown Truck" doesn't take that much more time to type, and carries with it the excitement possibly voiced by a child at Christmas anticipating Santa's "Big Red Sleigh" carrying goodies on their way...