Product

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Product:

This word crops up mostly in advertising and instructions on food items. An example from a spicy chicken frozen entrée package:

1. Cut a slit in film cover.

2. Microwave on HIGH 4 minutes.

3. Let stand 2 minutes.
Carefully remove as PRODUCT will be hot.

I presume using the word product instead of naming the substance simplifies copy writing but it sounds institutional and impersonal; creates a feeling of distance. It would be better to see the name of the product thus: Carefully remove Spicy Chicken. It will be hot, hot, hot!

A good approach for the word product: Never use it when it simply substitutes for something you can name. Even if it saves you time and money.
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