It was bound to happen. I thought maybe term limits for congressmen would come first, but I was wrong.

Burger King is putting out a meat-scented cologne. This body spray is called “Flame.” It’s barbecue scented. If I had been on their marketing committee, I would have suggested they name it “Essence of Smokehouse” or perhaps “Eau de Ham Hocks.”

I’m not really pooh-poohing this move by the burger giant because it’s probably an improvement over Hi Karate and English Leather of the sixties.  Mostly I’m thinking it’s just a novelty like the “singing bass” or those jars of pickled armadillo that you give as gag gifts.

However, I’ve actually been in close proximity to some men’s colognes that might have been improved upon with a splash of Louisiana Hot Sauce.

The basis for fragrancies is, of course, to produce a more pleasant smell. And for many, the aroma of a Boston butt about ready to come off the grill is pleasant.

Some years back, we were introduced to the phrase “aroma therapy,” a concept of using smells to reduce stress. I’ve learned through the years that therapy can come in all shapes and sizes. And it can be marketed by anyone …. Ph.d’s, M.D.’s and even Yabba Dabba Doo’s can prescribe and sell therapies.

In my case, writing this column is therapy for me. I can be crazy for a moment without having to go to meetings to discuss it.

The people who sell this aroma therapy concept say it’s about the “essential oils” of plants. Heating these oils and smelling them or rubbing them on apparently is supposed to take the friz out of a bad hair day.

Like I said, to each his own. The smell of chicken frying can relieve stress for me. Even the thought of the smell of chicken frying can do that. Thus, I can smell with my mind. I perfected that art as a child in church. But, I’ve never thought of wearing it.

I recall as a youngster sitting on heart pine pews in Providence Baptist Church, and in my mind I could hear the grease crackling around heavily battered pulley bones and drumsticks. The preacher probably thought I was picturing hell fire and brimstone. Nope. I was picturing Heaven on earth. It’s amazing how much a big fluffy cathead biscuit can resemble a big puffy cloud.

The preacher kept saying that he wished the Lord would return first thing Monday morning. And I thought that to be a bit hypocritical. You see back then families would take the preachers home with them for dinner, and I’m guessing the preacher wanted the Lord to wait until after the fried chicken as opposed to Him dropping down from the choir loft at that very moment.

I’m not sure if aroma therapy is based on any kind of science or if it’s just one of many marketing tools. It could be just the power of suggestion. Colonel Sanders has sold a lot of fried chicken with the virtual sound of “extra crispy.”

I’ve long been a student of marketing techniques. And as varied as they are, there is a simple basis to marketing — you either take advantage of an existing market, or you create a market. Obviously Burger King is trying to create a market.

Speaking of marketing ideas, I’ve come up with something I think would make a few bucks from those people who pursue the “supernatural.” It’s a camera. And instead of it being automatic focus, it would be automatic out-of-focus.

 I would call it the “Sasquatch Camera.”  Being eternally out of focus, it will continue to protect the privacy of Bigfoot while perpetuating the legend.

(Dwain Walden is editor/publisher of The Moultrie Observer, 985-4545. Email: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com.)