Buc-ee’s Has People Up In Arms Over Strange Billboard Near Gun Shop Ad

Photo 323904277 © Paul Hamilton | Dreamstime.com

Buc-ee’s has struck a nerve with its latest billboard, just one of its many wacky roadside messages. This seemingly harmless, one-worded sign in Kentucky has come under fire due to its unfortunate placement.

The advertisement is printed with the word “Slay,” a slang word originally in African American Vernacular English and LGBTQ+ circlesused to describe someone doing something exceptionally well. The term has since wedged itself into the mainstream.

While Buc-ee’s likely intended this message as a lighthearted way to promote its pit stop prowess, location is everything. The ‘Slay’ billboard sits directly beneath an advertisement for Center Target Firearms and Range, a shooting range that also sells arms and gun supplies.  

This proximity casts a shadow on Buc-ee’s message, with social media users interpreting “Slay” as a violent call to action.

The controversy ignited when a Reddit user posted a photo of the stacked billboards. “Describe America in one picture,” one person responded, with others questioning why a beaver was advocating for “murder.”

Intentional or not, this billboard blunder highlights the power of context. A single word can morph into something entirely different depending on its surroundings. One thing’s for sure, this won’t be the last time a brand forgets to choose its locations more carefully.

[via Chron, Laredo Morning Times, My San Antonio, images via various sources]