A group of students did a project for my class on the first Apple Macintosh. During their presentation they informed the class that it was first introduced with a “non-famous” commercial during the 1984 Super Bowl.
“A non-famous commercial,” I interjected, “what does that mean?”
Surprised by the question, one of my students shrugged, “well…um…it wasn’t famous, I guess.”
I was still puzzled. I mean, they showed it during the Super Bowl. How could it not be famous? So another student tried to explain it a different way.
A light bulb came on, and I grinned. “Wait. Did your source say the commercial was ‘infamous‘?”
Heads nodded and I chuckled, then went on to explain what the word infamous actually means.
For those of you curious as to what that “infamous” commercial actually looked like, here it is in all its glory.
I might have to add that to my list of words where adding the prefix “in” can have an intensifying effect rather than a negating effect. The other 2 I have are “invaluable” and “inflammable”.
Woah! Funny, Klein. So, I just can’t help thinking of the “infamous El Guapo” from the Three Amigos. I hope you’ve seen that – classic.