P&G Pulls Detergent Over Neo-Nazi Code

[eridani]

Don't know that they should have been expected to know this.

http://www.manufacturing.net/news/2014/05/p-g-pulls-detergent-over-neo-nazi-code?et_cid=3931783&et_rid=54679148&location=top

Procter & Gamble has apologized for "any false connotations" after stirring anger in Germany for unintentionally placing a neo-Nazi code on promotional packages for its Ariel laundry detergent.

Outraged shoppers had posted pictures online of Ariel powder boxes featuring a white soccer jersey with a large number "88." The number is sensitive because far-right extremists in Germany often use it as a code to skirt a ban on the use of Nazi slogans in public: since "H'' is the eighth letter of the alphabet, "88" represents the phrase "Heil Hitler." Similarly, "18" is used to stand for "A.H." or Adolf Hitler.

Procter & Gamble acknowledged Friday that the number was "unintentionally ambiguous."

[Inkfreak]

1. Does anybody think it was intentional?

What would P&G have to gain by doing that on purpose. People are weird.

[Niceguy1]

2. most likely they didnt know

The pc list can be too much to keep up with at times.

[intaglio]

3. Sorry but 88 as code has been round for ages

Check out the British Column 88 and Combat 18. Note Wikipedia quotes the official line that they are "disbanded"

[Niceguy1]

5. I have never heard of it

And I am not lacking in intelligence. I bet the ad artist didn't know, either.

[OilemFirchen]

12. Of course.

They are, after all, a Satanic cult:

[WinkyDink]

4. Hmmm. They used "88" PLUS "18"? P&G knew. NOT THEIR FIRST:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_(detergent) Compared Bush to....Hitler

Funny. The US version does 32 loads. http://www.lowes.com/pd_363848-82553-37000510505_0__?productId=3478121]

[lpbk2713]

6. Oh noes!!11!. I guess I'll have to move.

My street address is 1818.

[meaculpa2011]

7. Whoever sold me my house must have been...

Last edited Sat May 10, 2014, 11:22 AM - Edit history (1)

an escaped Nazi.

My address is 634. Add them up... 13. Subtract 13 from 634 and get 621. Reverse 621 and get 126.

1 and 6+2=18=AH.

Hitler's relatives lived on Long Island. I'm living on Long Island.

Coincidence?

[leeroysphitz]

8. I think I see the pattern!

[pipi_k]

9. Well guess what...

Alice Cooper is probably also a Nazi.

Or maybe even Hitler himself...

[Inkfreak]

13. Nailed it.

[rock]

10. I would have thought it was code for "I like piano"

Whatta I know?

[MohRokTah]

11. I first discovered the 88 code being used back in the day on usenet forums. eom