From Newsgroup: sci.lang

Jeff Barnett wrote:

On 5/24/2025 12:03 AM, Jeff Barnett wrote:

Many years ago, I would drive by the Los Angeles International airport
on the my way to work. Near there, visible from the freeway, was a
billboard advertisement for some SUV or pickup truck - I don't
remember which or the manufacturer. It caught my attention with these
three simple lines:

-a-a-a Climb mountains
-a-a-a Carry plywood
-a-a-a Comb beaches (a play on beachcomber)

It has stuck in my mind like a little poem. I present it to you all as
a simple puzzle on what makes it coherent. I'll post my observation
after a while. BTW, I assume that many or most of the regulars in
these groups will catch on more quickly than I did.

It seems that the Hen was the only one curious about this. It took me a while to become conscious of a phone trick: The place of articulation of
the first phonemes of the first words of each of the three lines is
velar; The place of articulation of the first phonemes of the second
words of each of the three lines is bilabial.

...

As to the Hen's question "is the 3rd line... like a punch line?" I'd say
no. However it is somewhat contrived which suggested that the copywriter
had to search for something somewhat relevant that followed the pattern.

Bear in mind this is a billboard aimed at people in
cars. The message has to be short because the car will
not be able to view it for long (no doubt measured in
seconds) and make a lasting impression. The third line
is meant to be humorous which aids in the ad being
remembered.
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