Brand Names

[techieMoe]

I had a random thought this morning. In my part of the world, there are a number of brand-name products that (for one reason or another) have become generic terms for all products of that type. For example:

• Xerox - photocopier
• Kleenex - facial tissue
• Coke - carbonated beverage
• Velcro - don't know the generic term
• Google - internet search
• Band-Aid - adhesive bandage

I've also heard (don't ask me where) that in Iran all kinds of chewing gum are referred to as "Adams," as Cadbury-Adams is a popular chewing gum company. What brands are generic in your part of the world?

[elija]

You can add Hoover - Vacuum Cleaner to your list.

[bigtomrodney]

Yeah we say hoover here too. Velcro, coke and google would be common here too, but it'd just be "tissue" or "hankie" for kleenex and "plaster" or "bandage" for band-aid. Mostly plaster for the latter.

Other than those I think we pretty much stick to the correct terms. Maybe Guinness instead of saying "stout" or "porter" but that's usually because we don't want anything other than Guinness. Only in Cork would it be different where they might ask for Beamish or Murphy's.

[peteh]

How about biro for a ballpoint pen?

[questio verum]

You can add Hoover - Vacuum Cleaner to your list.

Actually, hoover has an entirely different meaning in some settings.

Wikipedia has a short list of "genericized trademarks". One that I never would have thought a genericized trademark is "elevator". Apparently Otis Elevator once held it as a trademark term. A quick google of velcro will give you the generic name... 'hook-and-loop fastener'. Doesn't pop off the tongue quite like "velcro".

Here is a short piece on genericized brands, that touches on a few other brands.


qv

[thesimplecreator]

How about biro for a ballpoint pen?

where i live some people associate the brand "Bic" with any ballpoint pen.

[Bemk]

Here in the Netherlands we also use Google as web search and instant messaging is MSN.

Though, here in the south of the Netherlands, I don't encounter so many examples (Don't know how things are outside of Noord-Brabant).

[bigtomrodney]

How about biro for a ballpoint pen?

That used to be synonymous with ballpoint pens here. I haven't heard that in a few years now, I'd forgotten all about it!

[techieMoe]

Here's one I heard randomly and had to look up.

Zimmer frame - walker for old or disabled people

[Roxoff]

Well 15 years ago, I used to listen to music on tape on my 'walkman' - but it was made by Panasonic! Then my kids wore 'pampers' when they were babies, but not always Pampers... A few years ago, I had a 'jeep' (but it didn't run on 'diesel').

Then theres Alka Selzer. Sellotape (or 'Scotch tape'). Levi's. I'm sure googling around will turn up loads more.