Purple Cow

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The purple cow initially became famous as a chimerical referent in a short humorous verse, but has since come to refer to a diverse range of other things, including sports teams, food, wine, and tobacco products, as well as marketing practices in general. Yet all these examples retain the common theme of a sense of something out of the ordinary.

Contents 1 In literature 2 In sports 3 In food and beverage 4 In tobacco 5 In wine 6 In Clothing 7 References

[edit] In literature

Purple Cow is the name of a well-known poem by Gelett Burgess, written in 1895:

I never saw a purple cow;
I never hope to see one;
but I can tell you anyhow;
I'd rather see than be one!^[1]

It was often quoted, and many of his contemporaries aped the poem. One such example, by Englishman Robert S. Kane, typically lacked quite the same bouncy panache:

The purple cow
I have unfortunately seen.
It is as you'd expect
crossed with an aubergine.

Standing in a field
or laid out on a plate
it is as you'd expect:
cross, and a mistake.^[2]

Famously, Burgess became somewhat exasperated with the success of his poem, and being constantly reminded of it. He penned an almost as well-known riposte a few years later in 1897:

Having become associated with this verse, he wrote the following "Confession: and a Portrait Too, Upon a Background that I Rue" in The Lark, number 24 (April 1, 1897).

Ah, yes, I wrote the "Purple Cow"—
I'm Sorry, now, I wrote it;
But I can tell you Anyhow
I'll Kill you if you Quote it!^[3]

However, it has, in its own small way, become a classic, and parodic versions are common,^[4] and are still being produced today:

I've never seen a purple cow.
My eyes with tears are full.
I've never seen a purple cow,
And I'm a purple bull.^[5]

I've never seen a purple cow.
I never hope to see one.
But from the milk we're getting now,
There certainly must be one!

and by Ogden Nash:

I've never seen an abominable snowman,
I'm hoping not to see one,
I'm also hoping, if I do,
That it will be a wee one.

[edit] In sports

The Purple Cow is the mascot for Williams College.

[edit] In food and beverage

Purple cow may also refer to an ice cream soda made with grape soda or grape juice.

Purple Cow ice cream or yogurt is black raspberry ice cream or yogurt with chocolate and white chocolate chips.^[6]

Kraft Foods' best-selling brand of milk chocolate, Milka, also has used a purple cow as a well-known symbol in its print and TV advertisements for several decades. The "Milka Cow" is a lilac and white colored Swiss Simmental cow sporting a bell around her neck, usually shown in an Alpine meadow. The name Milka is derived from combining Milch and Kakao (the German terms for milk and cocoa, its primary ingredients). The chocolates are also distinctively packaged in purple wrapping paper, which is even protected by trademark in Europe.^{[citation needed]}

Purple Cow is also the name of a company in the Philippines that is known for its milkshakes. Its milkshakes come in chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, cheese and mocha. The company sells in fairs, bazaars, children's parties and corporate events. It was founded by seven seniors of the Ateneo de Manila University as a business thesis.

[edit] In tobacco

Purple Cow is a pipe tobacco blend consisting of burley, bright Virginia ribbon, latakia and maduro cigar leaf. It is manufactured by Cornell and Diehl of Morganton, NC.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] In wine

Purple Cow Vineyards is a small, boutique wine producer in Forest Grove, Oregon that produces premium Oregon Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Muscat, and Marechal Foch, among other wines. Purple Cow has a small case production of wine (600 cases per year), and has won several awards at local Oregon wine festivals. ^[7]

Purple Cow is also a leading fashion retailer in Geelong, Victoria, Australia

[edit] In Clothing

Purple Cow Clothing is leading Fashion retailer.

[edit] References