Brand names make it to the OED!

I first created this post in 2007, and apart from the home page, it has been the most viewed page on my blog (over 6,000 views). So here it is again, with a link to the latest OED update. It’s fascinating to peruse the new words added to the OED. (Here is the latest update, December 2010.) Brand names often enter the language as generic terms, and I’ve listed a few of them below. (I wonder who they have in mind with the word “flip-flopper”. And what on earth is a cotylosaur? I thought “chicklet” meant a little piece of gum, but I was disappointed to discover that it means a small chick or girl.) Google Goo·gle – verb: to use the Google search engine to find information on the Internet. Botox bo·tox – noun or verb – A proprietary name for: a preparation of botulinum toxin which is injected into specific muscles to create temporary paralysis, as part of the treatment of various medical conditions and in the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles of the face (esp. frown lines and crow’s feet). Also: treatment by this means; a course of such treatment. Popsicle pop·sicle – noun – A proprietary name for: an ice lolly. Hoover hoo·ver – verb: to clean with a vacuum cleaner (Chiefly British) Kleenex [see more ads] klee·nex – noun: the proprietary name of an absorbent disposable cleansing paper tissue. Xerox xe·rox – noun or verb: a name for a copying machine or the act of reproducing printed, wr...
Source: ANNE T-V's BLOG - Category: Professors and Educators Authors: Tags: Friday Fun Uncategorized Source Type: blogs