Imagine how she’d feel if she were a man called Richard
Essex mum-of-three Jane Hudson is unhappy Marks & Spencer called a range of doughnuts Plain Jane, saying: ‘It’s the 21st century and name calling isn’t OK’ and that she is far from ‘plain’ herself (Metro, Wed).
I have to ask, has Jane lived a very sheltered life? I’m only in my thirties but I’ve known about the saying since I was a kid and you can find the term has been used for at least the last 100 years.
Many people have got used to their names sharing another meaning that doesn’t match them at all. I should know given ‘Matt’ is used to describe a dull paint. But most of us just roll with it, rather than complaining about sharing a name with a tasty treat.
‘Dull’ Matthew, Birmingham
Poor Jane. Fancy thinking M&S was actually singling her out and calling her plain. The Brits are well known for their idioms and plays on words, especially in advertising. I’m sure when Jane reached out to social media to complain, she thought she would garner support from other snowflakes. Thankfully the majority of people told her to ‘grow up’.
Michael, Stourbridge
My name is Richard but am I concerned that there is a pudding called spotted dick? No.
Richard Alcock, Streatham
Being called Dave The Rave With The Permament Wave at school was an accolade! Too many take offence. Dave, Enfield
I actually feel sorry for Jane for thinking this might have been a reflection on her. I often have a bacon roll with no butter or sauce, which is referred to as ‘a plain Jane’ – in other words ‘nothing on it’.
Robert, Wiltshire
Plain Jane? Don’t complain! At least you have friends, unlike my namesake Billy No-Mates!
Bill Maddison, Gidea Park
Jane needs a reality check here – there’s more to worry about these days than a name.
Andy Pandy, London
Plain Jane has way too much time on her hands and nothing meaningful to do so she jumps at the opportunity to claim her 15 minutes in the sun by complaining about a doughnut’s name. Let me repeat that – she is whining about a doughnut’s name. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest!
Sam, Bridge of Weir
I can remember a toffee from Callard & Bowser called Plain Jane and also a biscuit too – they both had slivers of almonds in them. Being grumpy and complaining about everything that displeases us takes over our lives!
Laugh, enjoy it as a joke and thereby deflect any teasing. It’s a pretty name and I’m not surprised people name products after it. Take a chill pill and be proud of your namesake.
Christine, Vélez-Blanco
Would Jane think the term Jane Doe, meaning a ‘female of unknown name’, was referring to people called Jane? Or even a female deer?