BEST.DEAL.EVER.

[GoodTaste]

USAToday runs an ad right now that reads:

BEST.DEAL.EVER.
Get digital all access for only
$1 per week.



"BEST.DEAL.EVER." appears to basically mean "best deal ever". But I don't know why putting a period after "DEAL". "Best deal" would mean "best business deal" while "Deal." (with the period "." followed) means differently.

So what does "BEST.DEAL.EVER." mean at all? It seems to be a pun, I just don't know how to figure it out.

 

[jutfrank]

The capitals make you read the words extra boldly. The periods make you pause between each word, with a strong effect of emphasis.

The periods are also saying 'This is the best deal ever—it's as simple as that'.

 

[Rover_KE]

It's one of many advertising gimmicks with the intention of gaining your attention.

 

[emsr2d2]

It might have started as an advertising gimmick (I don't know if that's true) but it's now used by many people for emphasis. Just yesterday, a friend of mine on Facebook posted a photo of their dessert at a restaurant, with the words "Best. Cheesecake. Ever". Of course, the sentiment could have been expressed as "Best cheesecake ever" but those pauses between words make it more striking.

 

[Skrej]

Yes, it's quite common to see this in print nowadays. I'll admit, I've done it a few times myself. I suppose you could call it a fad or gimmick, even.

It doesn't even have to follow the 'best X ever' form. Simply capitalize the first letter and put a period after every word. Typically it's a short three or four word phrase, but occasionally you'll see it with longer phrases. You can capitalize the entire word for the text equivalent of shouting (emphasizing the emphasis, I guess). You would of course read it with a distinct pause after each word.


DO.NOT.EAT.THIS.
Never.Drinking. Mescal. Again.
NOT.MY.PROBLEM.
You.Are.An.Idiot.

 

[Tdol]

It.Has.Replaced.Using.*Around a Phrase*

STILL, IT BEATS USING TOO MANY CAPITALS.

 

[SoothingDave]

The comic book store guy from Simpsons did it. His catchphrase was "Worst. [thing]. Ever." With the middle word being whatever he was commenting on.

He spoke the words slowly and distinctively enough that it was like each was its own sentence. Hence, the punctuation.

This sometimes became Best. Thing. Ever.

 

[Tdol]

People often used to use asterisks to *show* how important something is on the internet. This is simply a way of trying to imitate speech and stress things on the internet.

 

[emsr2d2]

I've even seen single words spelt out in capitals with full stops separating them in order to create stress/emphasis. This morning, I saw the following on FB:

Woooo hoooo! We got a D.O.G!!!!!

 

[Skrej]

As was popular when I was younger: "That's just dumb with a capital D."

 

[Tdol]

I've even seen single words spelt out in capitals with full stops separating them in order to create stress/emphasis. This morning, I saw the following on FB:

Woooo hoooo! We got a D.O.G!!!!!

That's taking things a bit far- three exclamation marks would be enough to make the point.

 

[GoodTaste]

That's taking things a bit far- three exclamation marks would be enough to make the point.

Yeah, any more than three exclamation marks makes it sound/look childish and less-educated to me.

 

[5jj]

Woooo hoooo! We got a D.O.G!!!

OK, I've reduced it to three. Looks adult and educated now.

 

[GoodTaste]

OK, I've reduced it to three. Looks adult and educated now.

To be exact, it looks like being in limbo or grey area rather than adult and educated.
An adult or the educated would use only one mark.

 

[Skrej]

GoodTaste, do you realize that posts #11 and #13 were made in sarcasm? They weren't intended as serious commentary on the number of exclamation points. :roll:

 

[Tarheel]

I would have said humour, but I'll accept sarcasm.

 

[Tdol]

OK, I've reduced it to three. Looks adult and educated now!

Fixed that for you. ;-)

 

[Tdol]

An adult or the educated would use only one mark.

Can't adults be educated? ;-)

The thread has lost some of its serious intent.

 

[Skrej]

The thread has lost some of its serious intent.

SAY!IT!IS!NOT!SO!!!!!!

 

[Rover_KE]

Thread closed.