Time to Get Literal

Originally posted May 17, 2006

OK, obviously everyone must be really interested to know what's in my purse, because my blog has gone crazy with hits since yesterday's posting. Get a life, people! Wait...but then you wouldn't read my blog. OK, never mind...ixnay on the ettinglifegay. I love you just the way you are...no life and all.

Today's blog will be short, as I'm swamped with copy here at work. But I was wondering earlier...what exactly is a "taco bell?" Yes, yes...I know, it's a Mexican (well, "Mexican") fast-food chain. But what does it MEAN?

Now, I know what a Burger king might be...the king of burgers. When it comes to the world of burgers, Burger King claims to be the emperor of all things meat pattied. TCBY...The Country's Best Yogurt. Again, very obvious what that might imply. Kentucky Fried Chicken...chicken fried in the Kentucky (or Southern) fashion. In-N-Out...pretty self-explanatory.

But what in Thor's name is a taco bell? A bell made out of tacos? That would look pretty funny...not to mention it wouldn't be very efficient, and would probably rot after a while and become covered in flies. There's nothing about that scenario that screams "cheap, tasty Mexican food right here!" Perhaps it's a bell that's rung at taco time? But why would there be a separate bell just for tacos? Does that mean there's also a burrito bell? An enchilada bell? A carne asada bell?? And exactly what time would tacos be served that you'd need an actual bell to denote it? Couldn't you just say, "Tacos at 7," and everyone would show up? C'mon now, I really want to know!

I think all of this could be solved by adding a taco shaped like a bell to the menu. Thank you.

Mrs. Duhamel commented: IDK what Taco Bell means but thank you for letting my know what TCBY stood for, I never knew!!! HA!

Dom commented: yah, you actually know what tcby stands for? hey, don't forget ihop!

now, not to burst your sarcastic bubble, but just because its "taco" bell, doesn't mean that they can't serve other things. burger king sells chicken nuggets- should they also be known as "chicken nugget king?" (actually, i think it should be "mysterious chickeny -left-over bits-pounded-into-2!-different-shaped-patties-to-fool-you king")and mcdonald's doesn't sell burgers made of old mcdonald himself and wendy's doesn't sell chilli made of wendy herself... hmm... ok, you got me there! maybe they do! my point is that these names are symbolic... how deep! (deep fried, that is!) maybe "taco bell" gets its name from those taco shells they use for tostadas- those are shaped like bells! its like the question, "how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a toostie pop?" the world may never know!

Kim commented: No, but the names McDonald's and Wendy's are both possessive, denoting that the establishments belong to McDonald, or Wendy. Also, although Burger King does serve chicken, I wouldn't say they tout their chicken over their burgers. Their primary offerings are meat and burgers. OK, so yeah, if the names are symbolic, what does the symbol "taco bell" stand for then? That's what I'm saying! And if you've ever ordered a tostada at Taco Bell, they serve it on a plain, flat, corn tortilla. No bells in sight!

Oh yeah, and I've never had a "toostie pop."