| Author |
Message |
Martin Beck
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:25 am
Post subject: hoover... |
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Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
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joetaxpayer@nospam.com
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:03 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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Martin Beck wrote:
| Quote: | Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
|
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex is
close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied to the one
company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear someone request
something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him straight. One instance
doesn't count I guess.
JOE |
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raymond o'hara
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:39 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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<joetaxpayer@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:X5F4d.142471$3l3.82948@attbi_s03...
| Quote: |
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex is
close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied to the one
company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear someone request
something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him straight. One instance
doesn't count I guess.
JOE
|
Companies that allow that risk losing their trademark like the Murphy Bed
Compay did. Murphy beds are the type that fold down from the wall in small
rooms. They didn't pursue others using the name hard enough and the courts
ruled they had lost the trademark right to the name.
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Chris
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:03 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 19:39:55 GMT, "raymond o'hara" <reoh@comcast.net>
wrote:
| Quote: |
joetaxpayer@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:X5F4d.142471$3l3.82948@attbi_s03...
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex is
close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied to the one
company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear someone request
something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him straight. One instance
doesn't count I guess.
JOE
Companies that allow that risk losing their trademark like the Murphy Bed
Compay did. Murphy beds are the type that fold down from the wall in small
rooms. They didn't pursue others using the name hard enough and the courts
ruled they had lost the trademark right to the name.
|
Some of these might be country-specific:
Teasmaid - Device for brewing delivering a cup of tea in the morning,
ready for when you wake up - Originally Goblin Teasmaid (No joke
intended)
Stilsons (self adjusting spanners)
Workmate (portable workbench - Originally Black and Decker Workmate)
Biro - Lazlo Biro, inventor of the ballpoint pen.
Monitor - Invented by Arthur Monit, Boston MA (OK, so I made that one
up!) |
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Harvey Van Sickle
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:10 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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On 23 Sep 2004, joetaxpayer@nospam.com wrote
| Quote: |
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks,
but now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And
also if there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex
is close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied
to the one company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear
someone request something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him
straight. One instance doesn't count I guess.
|
I think I use "anglepoise" generically.
--
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 22 years.
(for e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van) |
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John Dean
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:04 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
| Quote: | On 23 Sep 2004, joetaxpayer@nospam.com wrote
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks,
but now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called.
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex
is close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied
to the one company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear
someone request something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him
straight. One instance doesn't count I guess.
I think I use "anglepoise" generically.
|
What is the status of words *derived* from such trademarks? My grandson
(5 y.o.) worked out that, if the large noisy object that cleaned the
floor was a Hoover, then there must be a verb 'to hoove' which we now
employ widely in the family - " I'm going to hoove the bedrooms", "I
haven't hooved the dining room yet".
--
John Dean
Oxford |
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meirman
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:34 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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In alt.english.usage on Thu, 23 Sep 2004 21:03:05 GMT Chris
<daisy.dog@ntlworld.com> posted:
| Quote: | On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 19:39:55 GMT, "raymond o'hara" <reoh@comcast.net
wrote:
joetaxpayer@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:X5F4d.142471$3l3.82948@attbi_s03...
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
Any suggestions?
Cheers!
Ollie
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex is
|
I think Xerox and Jell-o companies would not agree with you. In fact
I think the generic-style word is spelled jello.
| Quote: | close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied to the one
company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear someone request
something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him straight. One instance
doesn't count I guess.
JOE
|
I don't have a problem that if a trademark owner doesn't stop
competitors from using his product's name, he loses the trademark
rights.
But I think if the rest of the public uses Xerox or xerox to mean all
photocopying, that should strengthen the trademark owners claim, not
weaken it.
| Quote: | Some of these might be country-specific:
|
Another one, Gerber, for all baby food, in Israel. Does this count,
even if they don't speak English most of the time?
| Quote: | Teasmaid - Device for brewing delivering a cup of tea in the morning,
ready for when you wake up - Originally Goblin Teasmaid (No joke
intended)
Stilsons (self adjusting spanners)
|
Crescent wrench for all worm-adjustible wrenches (spanners) in the US,
regardless of brand. They should just be "adjustible wrenches".
I don't know what to call imitation Vise-Grip pliers made by other
companies. Worth buying the name brand btw. They are very well made
and not that expensive.
| Quote: | Workmate (portable workbench - Originally Black and Decker Workmate)
|
I just use a chair.
| Quote: | Biro - Lazlo Biro, inventor of the ballpoint pen.
Monitor - Invented by Arthur Monit, Boston MA (OK, so I made that one
up!)
|
It was originally called the Meirmonitor. I didn't protect my rights.
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 20 years |
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don groves
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:35 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
In article <civkoi$7at$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk>, john-
dean@frag.lineone.net wrote...
| Quote: | Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 23 Sep 2004, joetaxpayer@nospam.com wrote
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks,
but now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called.
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex
is close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied
to the one company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear
someone request something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him
straight. One instance doesn't count I guess.
I think I use "anglepoise" generically.
What is the status of words *derived* from such trademarks? My grandson
(5 y.o.) worked out that, if the large noisy object that cleaned the
floor was a Hoover, then there must be a verb 'to hoove' which we now
employ widely in the family - " I'm going to hoove the bedrooms", "I
haven't hooved the dining room yet".
|
I thought "to hoover" was a long-time Brit verb.
Another might be Kleenex. Most people I know use it generically
for "tissue".
--
dg (domain=ccwebster) |
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meirman
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 6:07 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
In alt.english.usage on Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:35:11 -0700 don groves
<dgroves@domain.net> posted:
| Quote: | In article <civkoi$7at$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk>, john-
dean@frag.lineone.net wrote...
Harvey Van Sickle wrote:
On 23 Sep 2004, joetaxpayer@nospam.com wrote
Martin Beck wrote:
Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks,
but now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called.
I believe it's "Genericized trademark", see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Genericized_trademark
for some more info.
My common ones are; aspirin, xerox, jell-o, bandaid, jeep. Fed-ex
is close, but not there yet. It's used as a verb, but still tied
to the one company. Athough, while in the post office I did hear
someone request something be Fed-exed, but the postman set him
straight. One instance doesn't count I guess.
I think I use "anglepoise" generically.
What is the status of words *derived* from such trademarks? My grandson
(5 y.o.) worked out that, if the large noisy object that cleaned the
floor was a Hoover, then there must be a verb 'to hoove' which we now
employ widely in the family - " I'm going to hoove the bedrooms", "I
haven't hooved the dining room yet".
I thought "to hoover" was a long-time Brit verb.
|
Probably, but I like "to hoove" better.
| Quote: | Another might be Kleenex. Most people I know use it generically
for "tissue".
|
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 20 years |
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Alan OBrien
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:48 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
|
|
"Martin Beck" <sarcqo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b1e873b4.0409231025.322f4f7b@posting.google.com...
| Quote: | Does anybody know what words, originally registered trade marks, but
now used as everyday verbs or nouns, might be called. And also if
there is a site somewhere with lists of the most common.
I'm not specifically referring to eponyms but also words like
"walkman", "JCB" (for a mechanical digger in the UK) and "hoover"
(which I believe actually is an eponym!?)
|
Petrol, pencil. |
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Alan Jones
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:12 pm
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
"Chris" <daisy.dog@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:t3e6l0ton38bjfp6ktvd47krshlsk411se@4ax.com...
[...]
| Quote: | Some of these [genericised tradenames] might be country-specific:
Teasmaid - Device for brewing delivering a cup of tea in the morning,
ready for when you wake up - Originally Goblin Teasmaid (No joke
intended)
Stilsons (self adjusting spanners)
Workmate (portable workbench - Originally Black and Decker Workmate)
Biro - Lazlo Biro, inventor of the ballpoint pen.
|
Agreed about "country-specific". I (UK) don't often hear or see 'xerox'
nowadays: people say 'photocopy', even when a Xerox machine is being used.
'Jello', however spelt, is 'jelly' in BrE; 'kleenex' is simply a 'tissue';
'bandaid' would be 'elastoplast' or just a 'sticking plaster'; 'fed-ex'
would be 'send it by carrier' (I'm not even sure whether Fed-Ex still
operates in the UK, at least under that name). I would use 'anglepoise' for
any desk lamp using visible springs to control its position.
Alan Jones |
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M. J. Powell
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:53 pm
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
In message <TiT4d.100522$hZ3.8421@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, Alan Jones
<atj@blueyonder.co.uk> writes
snip
| Quote: | I would use 'anglepoise' for
any desk lamp using visible springs to control its position.
|
We had Anglepoises on the work benches. A colleague adjusted his to
shine down into the equipment he was working on. I watched fascinated as
the lamp slowly lowered itself until the bulb touched his bald head.
Aarrrgghhh!
He ripped the lamp out of its clamps and flung it across the room!
I've often wondered if I should have warned him.
On second thoughts. No.
Mike |
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joetaxpayer@nospam.com
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:30 pm
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
Alan Jones wrote:
snip
| Quote: | Agreed about "country-specific". I (UK) don't often hear or see 'xerox'
nowadays: people say 'photocopy', even when a Xerox machine is being used.
'Jello', however spelt, is 'jelly' in BrE; 'kleenex' is simply a 'tissue';
'bandaid' would be 'elastoplast' or just a 'sticking plaster'; 'fed-ex'
would be 'send it by carrier' (I'm not even sure whether Fed-Ex still
operates in the UK, at least under that name). I would use 'anglepoise' for
any desk lamp using visible springs to control its position.
Alan Jones
|
In the US, most people are pretty ignorant of BrE. I'd not even blink
when my neighbor asked to borrow a spanner.
Here, 'Jell-o' is a brand name for a gelatin based desert. It's sugar,
flavor, and the stuff you get when boiling animal bones (and why my
chicken soup turns to rubber in the refrigerator). Jelly is made from
fruit that's been boiled a bit and then turned to a spread, but the
major ingredient is fruit.
'elastoplast' is great, that's one I've never heard. The generic name
here is 'adhesive bandage', but 'Bandaid' is definitely used
generically, while still retaining its trademark.
JOE |
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Alan Jones
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:24 pm
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
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|
<joetaxpayer@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:k4X4d.16264$He1.2286@attbi_s01...
[...]
| Quote: | In the US, most people are pretty ignorant of BrE. I'd not even blink when
my neighbor asked to borrow a spanner.
Here, 'Jell-o' is a brand name for a gelatin based desert. It's sugar,
flavor, and the stuff you get when boiling animal bones (and why my
chicken soup turns to rubber in the refrigerator). Jelly is made from
fruit that's been boiled a bit and then turned to a spread, but the major
ingredient is fruit.
|
We've discussed "jelly" several times before, so I'll just say that British
"jelly" has at least two very different meanings. One is the same as your
"Jell-o"; a widely-sold make here is Rowntree's.
The other is almost the same as your "fruit that's boiled a bit", except
that we use "jam" for the kind that still has bits of fruit or pulp in it,
and keep the word "jelly" for the kind that's strained through muslin to
produce a transparent spread. Most of these jellies are used mainly with
meat:: redcurrant jelly, or apple jelly flavoured with mint, is often eaten
with lamb, and the quince jelly I sometimes make (a very heavy crop this
year, due to ripen in the next few weeks!) is good with cheese or chicken
or, again, lamb. If jam has whole fruit, or very large pieces of fruit, in
it, it's often labelled "conserve". An American new to the UK who tried to
buy "Jell-o" would look in vain, unless he or she stumbled upon the "jelly"
shelf in the supermarket. This kind of difference is fun, I think, but could
be very frustrating . . .
Alan Jones |
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raymond o'hara
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:47 am
Post subject: Re: hoover... |
|
|
"Alan Jones" <atj@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:PSX4d.102455$hZ3.37308@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
| Quote: |
joetaxpayer@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:k4X4d.16264$He1.2286@attbi_s01...
[...]
In the US, most people are pretty ignorant of BrE. I'd not even blink
when
my neighbor asked to borrow a spanner.
Here, 'Jell-o' is a brand name for a gelatin based desert. It's sugar,
flavor, and the stuff you get when boiling animal bones (and why my
chicken soup turns to rubber in the refrigerator). Jelly is made from
fruit that's been boiled a bit and then turned to a spread, but the
major
ingredient is fruit.
We've discussed "jelly" several times before, so I'll just say that
British
"jelly" has at least two very different meanings. One is the same as your
"Jell-o"; a widely-sold make here is Rowntree's.
The other is almost the same as your "fruit that's boiled a bit", except
that we use "jam" for the kind that still has bits of fruit or pulp in it,
and keep the word "jelly" for the kind that's strained through muslin to
produce a transparent spread. Most of these jellies are used mainly with
meat:: redcurrant jelly, or apple jelly flavoured with mint, is often
eaten
with lamb, and the quince jelly I sometimes make (a very heavy crop this
year, due to ripen in the next few weeks!) is good with cheese or chicken
or, again, lamb. If jam has whole fruit, or very large pieces of fruit, in
it, it's often labelled "conserve". An American new to the UK who tried to
buy "Jell-o" would look in vain, unless he or she stumbled upon the
"jelly"
shelf in the supermarket. This kind of difference is fun, I think, but
could
be very frustrating . . .
Alan Jones
|
The jam/jelly difference holds true in the U.S. too |
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