h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This entry might confuse Antipodean readers, as down there, "Durex" is the leading brand of adhesive tape, directly equivalent to "Sellotape" in the Northern hemisphere...


Oh, and re: "She Says" on the Elite Extra Lubricated, perhaps they weren't *designed* for use on women...?

Not all people from downunder will be confused. In New Zealand a leading brand of condoms is named Durex. It is the already befuddled Australians who will be entangled in sticky tape.

Ah the good old London Rubber Company. I wonder who came up with the name durex to start with was it anything to do with dulux

Hey, Kiwi, at least Skippies have more practice on people (you know what I mean)....

I remember in Mexico Durex is (or was) a brand of men's socks.

Imagine the confusion that would cause. Knitted socks are rather leaky and condoms don't fit well around the average man's foot.

There is also a brand of furniture in Mexico "Muebles Durex". Don't try safe sex with granny's old sofa even if it still has the plastic wrapping on it.

I suspect it was some slogan, possibly "Durable Excellence"...

"As used by his Durable Excellence, the...."

I am sure the name plays on the "durable" thing - This important, as you will realise when one breaks.

In Spanish - using a similar latinate root the word probably plays on the similar words for hard or durable - ideal qualities for socks and DIY furniture as well.

This may explain why Durex is used for many other trade names other than just for the condom. Just like the Acmes abound outside of roadrunner cartoons.

Just for the hell of it. In Quebec, Canada - there are zillions of trade names starting wtih Que.. or ending in ..bec - To make them sound like good Quebec businesses as opposed to MacDonalds or Walmart for example - and also those roots make cool sounding names in French. I don't think Quebec has it's own (French speaking) condom yet, though.

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Caeruleus, if you look under "Ribbed" there is a passing mention that they used to be called "Arouser"...

thnx for ur care peet...
i take into consideration with it..

They appear to be for use on women, from the packaging, and men should be using the Ultra thick ones shouldn't they?

can u explain more about ur ideas_?
i couldn't understand...
thnx