Minipoo
Minipoo Dry Shampoo was sold from the 1940s until the 1960s. I'm assuming that 'poo' must not have had the same slang meaning back in the 1940s? Otherwise why would a manufacturer choose a name suggesting a small bowel movement?
I came across a newspaper column from 1980 commenting on the strangeness of the name. So at least by then the name had started to sound odd to people.
I found the Minipoo images at the National Museum of American History website. The very first comment there, posted in 2015, was from a woman, Dolores Mitchell Byrne, claiming to have been the model on the label. I googled her name and found that a woman of the same name won the title of "Miss Subways" back in January 1961. (Paul has posted about this unusual beauty contest here.) She's got a different hairstyle, but I think it's her, the Minipoo model. You can see a more recent photo of her at BrooklynPaper.com.
I came across a newspaper column from 1980 commenting on the strangeness of the name. So at least by then the name had started to sound odd to people.
Muncie Evening Press - Mar 19, 1980
I found the Minipoo images at the National Museum of American History website. The very first comment there, posted in 2015, was from a woman, Dolores Mitchell Byrne, claiming to have been the model on the label. I googled her name and found that a woman of the same name won the title of "Miss Subways" back in January 1961. (Paul has posted about this unusual beauty contest here.) She's got a different hairstyle, but I think it's her, the Minipoo model. You can see a more recent photo of her at BrooklynPaper.com.
Dolores Mitchell Byrne, aka 'Miss Subways' - via Facebook
Comments
Online Etymology Dictionary says that "poop" dates to the 18th century, but "poo" only goes back to the 1950s. I'm surprised that both words are so young. This product was named after tiny farts, though-both are little sham poos.
Posted by Old Whitebelly on 08/17/17 at 09:52 AM
My sister used that stuff in the mid 60s. It looked like grated parmesan cheese and she always looked like she had dandruff after using it.
Posted by John on 08/17/17 at 10:32 AM
I can't help thinking of The Muppet Show sketch "Wig Racing" -- "Do you use shampoo on your wig?" "No, I never use sham-poo, I only use real poo."
Dirty enough to be funny but mild enough to make it onto prime time.
Dirty enough to be funny but mild enough to make it onto prime time.
Posted by Another John on 08/17/17 at 11:21 AM
How large a package is required for maxipoo?
Posted by KDP on 08/17/17 at 04:42 PM
My pals and I thought this name was odd in the early 60's. We always felt we were ahead of our time, and this certainly proves it.
Posted by Virtual on 08/17/17 at 06:52 PM
The brand is just trying to convey the message that it's a mini-shampoo (not having to go through washing and drying one's hair). Why the puerile tittering over "Minipoo" when you could find "Shampoo" just as fascinating?
Posted by Anastasia Beaverhausen on 08/18/17 at 11:27 AM
Oh, Anastasia, when did you become so dull? Why do you think this item was posted in the first place?
Posted by Old Whitebelly on 08/18/17 at 11:36 AM
Ever heard of Kickapoo Joy Juice (see Wikipedia) or the Kickapoo Indians?
Posted by Rick on 08/18/17 at 12:19 PM
Dry ground-up oatmeal does the same thing.
Posted by BMN on 08/18/17 at 02:14 PM
Oatmeal- And if you use it later to make porridge you will have a maxi-poo!
Posted by Skyte on 08/18/17 at 02:28 PM
Thank you, Skyte! I knew the answer was out there somewhere.
Posted by KDP on 08/18/17 at 04:55 PM
What a sham!
Posted by Moses on 08/21/17 at 10:39 AM
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Category: Hygiene | Excrement | Hair and Hairstyling | Slang