Gnash Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Being a pedant I always like to pick people up on their use of trademarked names in a generic way (for example, doing the 'hoovering' rather than vacuum cleaning). So I was disgusted with myself when I slipped into the trap myself, looking for 'lycra' shorts, only to find that Lycra is a brand name and the correct generic name is spandex. Without much else to do on New Year's Day morning, before the rest of the family were up, I had a think about other examples of this creeping moral degradation, and came up with: 'to google' (internet search) 'xerox' (photocopy) 'biro' (ball point pen) 'band aid' (plaster) 'poma' (a type of ski tow) 'velcro' (sticky, rippy fastener things, you know what I mean) 'photoshop' (amend digital images) 'post-it' (sticky note) 'bubble wrap' (air-padded wrapping) 'jacuzzi' (hot tub) 'chapstick' (lip balm stick) 'roller blades' (in line skates) 'tipp-ex' (correction fluid) 'frisbee' (flying disc) 'plasticine' (modelling clay) That's just what I came up with in 15 minutes of boredom. What other examples of genericide can you think of? Let's spread the word so as many people as possible know the correct generic term and can avoid embarrassment. Or some pedantic busybody like me poking their nose in. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Alli Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 People in Stirling say 'band aid' instead of plaster? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Miguel Sanchez Posted January 3, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 3, 2020 Your family was pretending to be asleep. 38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aim Here Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) I approve of this development, because it actually annoys our Corporate Overlords when they find that their trademarks are diluted and unenforceable as their product names get absorbed into common everyday use. Also, there's no point bothering with prescriptive language use, you're in a Cnut-style fight against inevitable forces of nature. Give up now while there's hope for you. Edited January 3, 2020 by Aim Here 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmontheloknow Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 'gnashing' - (starting crap threads on P&B). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 7 minutes ago, Dele said: People in Stirling say 'band aid' instead of plaster? Not in my experience. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo-A-Gogo Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Sellotape. My partners family seem to do this a lot and it just seems odd but they use the brand names for everything. For example they'll say can you pass the Saxa?)or how many Tate and Lyles do you want in your Nambarrie? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Tannoy instead of PA system. However, Tannoy are a Scottish company so I applaud this synonymous usage. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Alli Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Just now, Nkomo-A-Gogo said: For example they'll say can you pass the Saxa?)or how many Tate and Lyles do you want in your Nambarrie? Murder them. It's best for everyone. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gannonball Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Hibsing it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.A.F.C Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Hoover. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alta-pete Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 #2 on your well thought out list is xerox and at #5 is poma? Riiight. (IT dept insert Cheryl .gif here please). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venti Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 43 minutes ago, Arch Stanton said: Tannoy instead of PA system. However, Tannoy are a Scottish company so I applaud this synonymous usage. Surprised this was missed by the OP considering his avatar. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackislekillie Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Nkomo-A-Gogo said: Sellotape. Always described as sticky back plastic on Blue Peter. I was about 49 before I twigged it was fucking sellotape. c***s. I never started a single BP modelling project as the dearth of "sticky back plastic" in our house made them impossible. c***s. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 18 minutes ago, blackislekillie said: Always described as sticky back plastic on Blue Peter. I was about 49 before I twigged it was fucking sellotape. Isn't it the stuff for lining drawers? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Alli Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 7 minutes ago, BigFatTabbyDave said: Isn't it the stuff for lining drawers? Is this common? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florentine_Pogen Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Isn't it the stuff for lining drawers?Ooh Fablon.......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Slenderman said: Surprised this was missed by the OP considering his avatar. Good point. I need to re-watch I'm Alan Partridge. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Florentine_Pogen said: Ooh Fablon.......... That's the probiotic yoghurt manufacturer, isn't it? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgun Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Blue Peter's "sticky back plastic" was sheets or rolls of thin vinyl. You can still buy it for arts and crafts. You peeled off the backing and stuck it to the toilet roll holder you were using to make a lovely replica of St Paul's cathedral as a thoughtful gift for a father or older brother. Sellotape was referred to as "sticky tape". I recall John Noakes accidentally using the brand name and laughing that he would be in trouble for doing that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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