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Wed 23 Jul, 2003 10:31 pm
Some brand names are so widely known that they are used as generic terms. However, in more formal writing than we have here, it's worth keeping an eye to capital letters.
Here's a small list of nouns that are brand names:
Ping-Pong
Jell-O
Scotch tape
Xerox
Yellow Pages
Rolodex
Teflon
Fiberglas (but fiberglass)
Dixie cup
Band-Aid
Kleenex
Q-Tips
Adrenalin (but adrenaline)
Kitty Litter
Seeing-Eye dog
Frisbee
Realtor
Ping-Pong? I'm 'mazed.
What about duct tape or Duck tape?
Hiya Piffka,
Duct tape (duck tape), no; Dumpster, yes.
You know what makes this even more confusing is when the brand name, to make the packaging look good, for example, Kleenex, will be cleverly printed in all lower case.
Duck tape is a brand name. (Somebody told me about them.)
http://www.duckproducts.com/products/
Dictaphone (in case anyone actually uses one anymore...)
And, while I'm on a roll here, how about:
Mimeograph
Hi Piffka, Thanks for the info about Duck tape. It wasn't listed in the dictionary.
D'Art, According to Webster's, mimeograph used to be a trademark name. But now it isn't.
And another one--Velcro.
Keep 'em coming, folks.
Re mimeograph, I noted that, too, Roberta. But what does that mean? The company's defunct, so now we downcase it? (Come to think of it, I may have answered my own question...)
to hoover (well, that's 'English' :wink: ),
Teflon,
walkman (discman).
WinVision
I am afraid Jello-O should be Jell-O. See the following --
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary:
Jell-O trademark--used for a gelatin dessert usu. with the flavor and color of fruit.
AHD:
Jell-O A trademark used for a gelatin dessert. This trademark often occurs in print without a hyphen and in figurative contexts ...
PS. I didn't get Q-Tips. Who would like to explain it for me?
Q-Tips is the brand name for cotton swabs on a stick, very popular in the USA, oristarA.
I just learned yesterday that Frisbee is a brand name and should be capitalized.
Well, when you buy cotton BUDS (to use the ENGLISH word for that) here in Germany, you certainly ask for Q-Tips (and get the x-Brand).
Used my old Monika* this morning (or is it a Gabriele*?) and had to tippex a few words.
Both are the names of formerly very common "travel typewriters".
Oristar, You caught another of my mistakes. I fixed the list. Thanks for spotting that.
Andy, Frisbee is on the list in the first post. It came as a surprise to me, too.
Walter, When you ask for Q-Tips in the US, you could end up with any brand. The trade name has become about as widely known in a generic sense as any product I can think of.
Walter, I always used an Olympia in pre-computer days.
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