Hello,

I am seeking name suggestions for a new brand of portable breath
alcohol testers, commonly known as breathalyzers.  They would be used
by consumers, businesses, schools, clinics, and law enforcement.  The
ideal name would combine the concepts of:  1)sleekness - cool, modern,
a new generation, etc. 2) professional - good enough for law
enforcement to use even though they would mainly be purchased by
consumers. 3) a relatively simple, catchy, easy to remember brand name
that would appeal to consumers.

Looking specifically for one brand name that could be shared by all
units. If researcher has any ideas for "subnames" to identify each
product, please share as well.  An analogy is the ipod.  ipod is the
primary brand name and then you also have ipod nano, ipod shuffle,
etc.

This line of alcohol testers might range in retail price from US$69 - $179.

Here is an example of another series already on the market:
q3i.com/alcohawk_series.htm

Although all ideas and long lists of suggestions are welcome, we would
like the researcher to make some specific recommendations as to his or
her favorites and justify why.  Although we've listed our thoughts
above, we're open to anything.

There are many alcohol testers that start with "Alco" "Alc" and
"Intoxi" so any new fresh ideas are encouraged.  (Please do a search
for breathalyzer to see other examples.)  And if there are any cool
ideas that are totally different (ipod doesn't exactly describe a
music player) please suggest!

Thanks!

Dear concepts34,


It is difficult to come up with a sleek, professional, catchy name for
any product, never mind a device so serious, so safety-minded -- so,
in a word, sober -- as a portable breath alcohol tester. Nonetheless,
I used my rhetorical training to brainstorm a wide range of ideas,
which I then winnowed down to the worthiest half-dozen shown below.


--------------------------------------------


    Dionix


This name recalls the Roman god of wine, Dionysus. The ending suggests
modernity, like the operating system Unix and the Panasonic digital
camera line Lumix.


Encyclopedia Mythica: Dionysus
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/d/dionysus.html


--------------------------------------------


    PosiBlow


A utilitarian name that informs you about the functionality of the
product. How does this gadget work? You blow into it. Stay in a positive
frame of mind, even if the test turns out positive. Negativity is
bad. Positivity is good.


--------------------------------------------


    Halotron


The Latin verb "halare" means "to breathe". It is an onomatopoeic word,
meaning that it sounds like what it denotes. Begin to say the name 
Halotron and you exhale a puff of air, just like you would in using
the device.


Wikipedia: Onomatopoeia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onomatopoeia


--------------------------------------------


    BaccuFax


The ancient god of wine, called Dionysus by the Romans, was known to
the Greeks as Bacchus. In the name BaccuFax, the letter "h" is omitted
for ease of pronunciation, and also to emphasize the accuracy of the
device. The "Fax" portion tells carousers that even when they're having
a good time, road safety is no laughing matter.


Krewe of Bacchus: Mythology
http://www.kreweofbacchus.org/html/mythology.htm


--------------------------------------------


    Zefigo


A zephyr is a gentle breeze. Using the Zefigo is a breeze, too. It
quickly lets you know if you're good to go. Anxious? Uncertain? Break
out the Zefigo.


Windows to the Universe: Zephyr
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/zephyr.html


--------------------------------------------


    Libistat


A libation is an alcoholic drink. To ask for something to be done
stat, as in a hospital or a newsroom, is to declare the urgency of
the matter. Statistics or stats are measurements of things. You drink;
it measures: Libistat.


dictionary.com: Word of the Day for Sunday July 30, 2000
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2000/07/30.html


--------------------------------------------


Among these proposals, I have two favorites. One is Halotron, which amuses
with its onomatopoeia, yet reassures with the protective connotation
of the angelic halo and the overall impression of seriousness. My other
favorite is the whimsical Zefigo, which looks striking on paper and is
fun to say out loud. I find both of these names apt and memorable.


I have enjoyed the challenge of answering your question. If you have
any concerns about the quality of my work, please advise me through a
Clarification Request and allow me the opportunity to fully meet your
needs before you rate this answer.

Regards,

leapinglizard


Search strategy:

dionysus
://www.google.com/search?q=dionysus&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

onomatopoeia
://www.google.com/search?q=onomatopoeia&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

bacchus
://www.google.com/search?q=bacchus&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

zephyr
://www.google.com/search?q=zephyr&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

libation
://www.google.com/search?q=libation&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

---

Clarification of Answer by leapinglizard-ga on 07 May 2006 02:49 PDT

A commenter points out below that I erred in my attribution of the
names of the ancient god of wine. The Greeks knew him as Dionysus and
the Romans as Bacchus, not the other way around.

leapinglizard

Thank you.

I like the name PROOF  It means "factual evidence" and "a measure of
alcoholic strength"  You could have different models such as PROOF
PRO, PROOF POSITIVE, PROOF STICK.  When the schools are doing random
checking, the kids will say they are on PROOF patrol.

All great suggestions, Leapinglizard.
Bacchus is the Roman name for the god whom the Greeks called Dionysus,
but that doesn't matter.

I also like Crabob's "proof", which suggests alcohol, as in 80 proof whiskey.

My favorite is Halotron as well, it sounds so futuristic, so
"tronific!" lol I would certainly double-check the product if I read
"halotron" on it, even though I have no need for it.

Imagine the possibilities. This is a very catchy name! Great job!

Ntoxitmeters

As in generic Intoxication - but the Irn Bru version

How about the go and blow machine or the huff and puff machine??? jim