September 14, 2004

Purple advertising prose

I just received in the U.S. mail an unsolicited advertising brochure on stiff glossy card in full color, with text that opens in the following way:

DISCOVER THE NATURAL CONNECTION FOR YOUR SUCCESS

With each moment that passes, the sun's color shimmers and changes from startling purples and magentas to the soft hues of cornflower blue. Waves gently roll to shore in nature's own version of a childhood lullaby. And as the sun finally dips below the horizon, the mast of a sailboat—making its way back to harbor—dances on the horizon like a ballerina in a dream.

And people accuse me of over-writing!!

Posted by Geoffrey K. Pullum at September 14, 2004 11:52 AM