Maelochs

Because some people refer to some bicycles as BSO.

As well ask, "Why do some people call that round, orange citrus fruit an 'orange"? That's the word which was coined to describe that specific object.

And the violin example is on point.

Only bicycle enthusiasts know about the term "BSO," and bicycle enthusiasts are the people most likely to realize where those big-box bikes fall far short of what actually works. Only bike enthusiasts would ever see the kid next door with a bent or broken brake lever on his or her "Brand new Bike--Wheeee!!!" and see the sadness ... and then the greater sadness when the kid hears that, that part is so cheap it cannot stand the stress of normal use but is so expensive it cannot be replaced---or much more likely, simply is not available for sale anywhere, for any sum.

A lot of people ride BSOs without any issue ... they are fine light-duty bikes, just very cheap, often shoddily and sometimes incorrectly assembled. A lot of kids think they are cool with all the cheap plastic moto parts which last about a week ... but they outgrow the bike almost as fast as it breaks down.

I am sure people who play violins and know violins see someone all excited about getting his or her own "first violin," and suppress a wry smile when they see it is a "Brand X," which is notorious for never staying in tune, being ridiculously susceptible to the slightest humidity changes, are too weak to hold the tension of the strings for long and thus warp, have cheap, poorly finished fretboards which grab the strings, and quickly create high and low spots, almost creating frets of a sort, and produce hideous sounds even when played by a master.

An "XSO"--a whatever-shaped object---might become the new terminology for the absolute lowest-quality, poorly constructed, zero-qality-control products in any given range. Maybe not. But the idea exists, that there are some things which Look just like the real thing but are so cheaply and poorly made that they simply cannot do the job of the thing they are designed to look like---Walmart flat screwdrivers, the blades of which which bend right over and philips-heads which strip themselves on the first use. The flashlights you pick up at the checkout counter which last until you shake them hard and then never light again. Anything bought off TV at three a.m. which advertises, 'And for s separate fee, we will double the offer and send you Two of these ... ."

Some people can be completely happy playing a $1 plastic recorder from the Dollar Store, which is whistly, hissy, out of tune, has no sharp- or flat-holes, and can barely produce a scale. I got a Yamaha for a few bucks more and anyone can tell the difference in a heartbeat. But for parents who have next to no cash and whose kids have next to no talent or interest in music, when the kid comes home and says "We are supposed to have a recorder for music class," the dollar recorder is fine.