“What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” – or maybe not…

THE (IN)FAMOUS AD SLOGAN: “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.”        Ad slogan used since 2005 by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority         This famous nudge-nudge, wink-wink line evolved from the earlier advertising slogan “What Happens Here, Stays Here,” created in 2002 by the Authority’s ad agency R&R Partners, Inc. Both versions suggest (not very subtly) that people can have sexual liaisons or do other wild and crazy things on vacation trips to Las Vegas and keep it secret. The “What Happens in Vegas...” version became the subject of fierce trademark litigation after it began showing up on “unauthorized” t-shirts and other souvenirs. Of course, the basic linguistic formula used in the Vegas ad slogans is not new. For example, a much older saying among traveling salesmen is “What happens on the road, stays on the road.” And, a traditional variation long used by musicians is “What happens on tour, stays on tour.”

THE INDIANA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT OBSERVATION: “As much as I’d like to think what happens in Indiana stays in Indiana, that’s not likely to be the case. So even if it was convenient and desirable (or even possible) for every progressive Hoosier to move out, it won’t let us quarantine Indiana so that the garbage legislation doesn’t spread.”         Reader comment on a post about the controversy over Indiana's so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” on the progressive blog Shakesville.com        (Cartoon by Darkow via the Columbia Daily Tribune.)

THE VAGUELY PUNNY VARIATION: “Ambiguity: What Happens In Vagueness Stays In Vagueness.”        Slogan on t-shirts sold via CafePress

THE HANGOVER MOVIE VERSION: “Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit’ll come back with you.”        Actor Jeffrey Tambor, as the character Sid Garner, in movie The Hangover (2009)

THE BRANSON HANGOVER VERSION: “You can never leave Branson – it will always stay with you. I’ve hit an All American Wall, suffering from a bad case of Red State Madness – like a hangover but without the drinking, as I shit red, white and blue with a constant dry taste of Jesus in my mouth, amidst bad entertainment, bad food, fat, old Americans and utter lack of culture. As they say, ‘What happens in Branson stays in Branson, especially with Our Lord Jesus Christ looking over it.’”          Harmon Leon        American author, journalist and comedian         In his quirky travel guide National Lampoon Road Trip USA (2007)        Commenting on the “family vacation destination” tourist town Branson, Missouri, where you can see shows like Noah: The Musical

THE FML VERSION: “Today, I learned that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. This includes my one night stand who turned up outside my front door with a suitcase in her hand.”        Posted by “NeverDrinkingAgain” on the FMLife.com website

THE KIDDY VERSION: “What Happens in Preschool Stays in Preschool”        Slogan used on a line of clothing for preschool kids and their parents

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