Brand name to English language

pinstripe | 09:39 Tue 08th Sep 2009 | Phrases & Sayings

23 Answers

I'm trying to add to a list of Brand names that have overtaken the product in the English language. By that I mean one brand name has become a 'catch all' or even in some cases a verb that over rides all other rival brand names of the same product

So far we have:-

1) Fridge
2) Hoover
3) Tampax
4) Sellotape
5) Phillips screw
6) Stove
7) Rizla
8) Durex

I'm sure there are load more but are so mundane we just take them for granted - Can anyone add to my list?

Chance would be...

Place names - Bar

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factor-fiction

biro

dougielogan

In Glasgow, a bottle of "ginger".

Quizmonster

Googling "proprietary eponyms" - which is what these things are - should throw up a range of web-sites listing what you want.

Lborobrewer

Aspirin was a brand name in the UK at one time, and still is in the US where they call it ASA (from AcetylSalycilic Acid, it's chemical name).
In Australia I don't think Sellotape is the same item as in the UK.

dundurn

Cola as an abbreviation of Coca Cola?

Linoleum was the original copyrighted name because it was made using linseed oil.

In Australia, if memory serves, Durex is actually the name of a brand of "sellotape".

Kinetic

'Tannoy' for PA (public accouncement) system.

andy-hughes

Jacuzzi has become the generic term for a hot tub, but is in fact a brand name.

JCB is now so commonly used for an excavator, that although a brand name, it is listed in the Oxford Dictionary as the generic term for one.