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12 sexist ads that companies wish we'd forget they ever made

“Most husbands, nowadays, have stopped beating their wives.”

AN AD FOR Protein World — a diet supplement — caused much debate earlier this year.

After it appeared in London underground stations, it was the subject of hundreds of complaints to the UK’s advertising watchdog regulator – mostly from people who believed it showed an unrealistic portrayal of a woman that might make other women feel their bodies were inferior.

Some called for ads that encourage women to become thinner to be banned because they are sexist. MP Caroline Noakes has started a campaign to ban models appearing on fashion catwalks and clothing ads if they have a Body Mass Index of less than 18.

102629646-ad_2.jpg.1910x10002 Protein World Protein World

But … it could be worse, as these old ads show. Some of them are from major brands who doubtless cringe at what they did in the past.

Heinz, 1950: The ad begins, “Most husbands, nowadays, have stopped beating their wives…”

heinz-1950-the-ad-begins-most-husbands-nowadays-have-stopped-beating-their-wives- Heinz Heinz

Van Heusen, 1951: “Show her it’s a man’s world.”

van-heusen-1951-show-her-its-a-mans-world

Chase & Sanborn, 1952: This ad makes light of domestic violence.

chase-and-sanborn-1952-this-ad-makes-light-of-domestic-violence Chase & Sanborn Coffee Chase & Sanborn Coffee

Schlitz, 1952: “Don’t worry darling, you didn’t burn the beer!”

schlitz-1952-dont-worry-darling-you-didnt-burn-the-beer Schlitz Schlitz

Alcoa, 1953: Alcoa Aluminum’s bottle caps open “without a knife blade, a bottle opener, or even a husband”.

alcoa-1953-alcoa-aluminums-bottle-caps-open-without-a-knife-blade-a-bottle-opener-or-even-a-husband Alcoa Aluminum Alcoa Aluminum

Pitney-Bowes, 1953: It’s so easy to use that even a woman with “no mechanical aptitude” can operate it.

pitney-bowes-1953-its-so-easy-to-use-that-even-a-woman-with-no-mechanical-aptitude-can-operate-it Palmolive Palmolive

Unilever, 1955: Guess who does all the dishes?

unilever-1955-guess-who-does-all-the-dishes Lux Lux

Budweiser, 1956: “Budweiser has delighted more husbands than any other brew ever known.”

budweiser-1956-budweiser-has-delighted-more-husbands-than-any-other-brew-ever-known Budweiser Budweiser

Drummond, 1959: Woman are “a drag”.

drummond-1959-woman-are-a-drag Drummond Drummond

Kenwood, 1961: “That’s what wives are for!”

kenwood-1961-thats-what-wives-are-for Kenwood Kenwood

Acme, 1963: The most important quality in coffee is how much it will please your man.

acme-1963-the-most-important-quality-in-coffee-is-how-much-it-will-please-your-man Acme Coffee Acme Coffee

Brown & Williamson, 1967: “The best ones are thin and rich.”

brown-and-williamson-1967-the-best-ones-are-thin-and-rich

- Jim Edwards

Read: These modern ads are even more sexist than their ‘Mad Man’-era counterparts

Read: Vanity Fair has kicked up a major sexism row with THIS photo

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    Mute Warren Collier
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:28 AM

    Beautiful fresh mornings!

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    Mute John S
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    Feb 24th 2016, 9:32 AM

    Grand stretchy evenings

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    Mute Paddy o'brien
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    Feb 24th 2016, 1:57 PM

    Indeed

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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:31 AM

    As long as it’s not fooking raining…

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    Mute Fail Gael
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Well last night it was beautiful clear skies and could see Jupiter beside the moon…

    Although twas a pain in the hole defrosting the car

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    Mute Cornelius Traas
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Much needed respite for farmers. The fields are drying at last.

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    Mute Donna Moss
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:33 AM

    I was a bit chilly earlier while out walking. Wrap up well. It is a lovely dry but frosty morning.

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Feb 24th 2016, 9:22 AM

    The Department of Education and the Catholic Church say Spring beings on the first of February.
    Meteorologists say the first of March is Spring.
    The Astronomical Spring begins on Sunday 20th March.

    Green thumbs up if you think Spring begins in February and red thumbs down if you think Spring begins in March.

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    Mute Anthony Ryan
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    Feb 24th 2016, 10:19 AM

    Spring begins in March!

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Feb 24th 2016, 11:18 AM

    Who cares?

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    Mute TheBull
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    Feb 24th 2016, 11:40 AM

    We don’t have seasons in Ireland. The cold rain just slowly gives way to the warmer rain.

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Feb 24th 2016, 9:59 AM

    What’s with all the wusses who spend ages laboriously scraping their car windows with a piece of plastic because they’re afraid they’ll make the kettle of water too hot? That’s no way to live.

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    Mute Donnachaín Ní Uallacháin
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    Feb 24th 2016, 12:28 PM

    Always remind me of this:
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3McfrgMN8EM

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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Feb 24th 2016, 11:48 AM

    Mild winter, cold spring and hot sunny summer (hopefully)!

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    Mute Grace Jeaney
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    Feb 24th 2016, 11:03 AM

    Better than the rain!

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Feb 24th 2016, 10:13 AM

    Up and about on our local greenway before sunrise, lovely morning. Hope this weather lasts a while.

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    Mute Kieran Stafford
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    Feb 24th 2016, 9:54 AM

    Swimming pool again so

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    Mute Padraic Burke
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    Feb 24th 2016, 9:17 PM

    Winter-November December January
    Spring-February March April
    Summer-May June July
    Autumn-August September October.
    That’s just what it is.

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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Feb 24th 2016, 8:38 PM

    I hope the rain doesn’t suppress turnout. The govt parties would benefit from that

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