INTRODUCTION
An eponym is a general term used to describe from what or whom something derived its name. Therefore, a proprietary eponym could be considered a brand name (trademark or service mark) which has fallen into generic use within the marketplace.
We've all seen it happen. The commonplace products and services of today become the household word of tomorrow. Well, some might say ’tis the price companies pay for a popular product.
“And now a word from our sponsor...”
In general, an eponym succeeds only if it can convey its purpose successfully without adjectives or modifiers. For example “Use some saran wrap” works as successfully as “Use some saran wrap to keep your food fresh.” In fact the former sentence is agreeably less redundant.
So, what leads a brand name to become an eponym? Well, for one thing, other brands of a similar nature or purpose must exist; but even more importantly, the original product, even if discontinued, must still function pronominally. In other words, a specific can be used to designate a class of generics with no loss in meaning. The usual result: lower case transcription of the brand name.
Now, here's the twist: Brand names are, in fact, neither nouns nor verbs, but the rare case of proper adjectives.
By convention, to recognize such words, a noun such as “brand” and/or a noun phrase describing the product or service is used. The brand name must also be capitalized (order of of decreasing acceptability: SARAN WRAP, SARAN WRAP, or Saran Wrap) or made distinct from the surrounding text (order of decreasing acceptability: Saran Wrap, Saran Wrap, or Saran Wrap). After the first occurence of the word in writing, however, initial caps are all that is needed.
Taking this into account, the above imperative would be ideally stated “Use some SARAN WRAP brand food storage wrap,” which not only shows respect, but precludes any misinterpretation of ownership.
Many companies, like The LEGO Group, go to great lengths to document all of these formalities specifically to mitigate trademark dilution amongst consumers as well as by knock-off brands:
https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/noties-and-policies/fair-play/
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Database of American Proprietary Eponymys initially appeared on the Web in 1997 with over forty terms listed. The mission: "To increase brand recognition and awareness through a unique and insightful database of commonplace American marks."
This site remains a work-in-progress, intended primarily for personal reference. I've included various brand names (trademarks and servicemarks), their respective owners (tradenames), and any misused forms (lowercase, typically non-adjectival), some with example sentences.
Despite my choice in a page title, this database lacks any search capabilities. However, all terms are alphabetized for quick reference. If you find any discrepancies or perhaps have a word to add, please drop me a note. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.
Randall E. Krause
randall@searstower.org
Thanks to the many generous people who have already contributed to the database. I will be including new brand names as I have time. Below are the newest entries that have been submitted for approval.
ALKA SELTZER™
Bayer Corp.
alka seltzer n. : effervescent antacid soda
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BAND AID™ POPULAR!
Johnson & Johnson
band aid, band-aid, bandaid n.; band aids, band-aids, bandaids n. pl. : a plastic adhesive bandage strip
to band aid v.; band aided v. p.; band aiding v. pr. : to apply a plastic adhesive bandage strip
Any first aid kit should include a supply of band-aids.
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BISQUICK™
General Mills, Inc.
bisquick n. : instant pancake mix
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BOBCAT™ NEW!
Bobcat Company
bobcat n.; bobcats n. pl. : a compact front-end loader
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BRILLO™ NEW!
Armaly Brands, Inc.
brillo pad n.; brillo pads n. pl. : a scouring pad
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CAROID™
The Mentholatum Company
caroid n. : oral hygiene tooth powder
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CHAP STICK™
American Home Products Corp.
chap stick n.; chap sticks n. pl. : a stick of flavored lip balm
chap stick n. : flavored lip balm
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CHEERIOS™
General Mills, Inc.
cheerios n. : toasted o-shaped oats cereal
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COKE™ POPULAR!
The Coca Cola Company
coke n.; cokes n. pl. : color carbonated soft drink
coke n. : a can of soda pop
Coke is the beverage of choice for us teens!
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COMET™ NEW!
KIK Custom Products, Inc.
comet n. : bathroom cleaner spray
Try some comet to remove that soap buildup from the tiles.
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COOL WHIP™
Kraft Foods, Inc.
cool whip, cool-whip n. : pre-whipped cream topping
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ESCALATOR™ DEFUNCT
Otis Elevator Company
escalator n.; escalators n. pl. : a power-driven stairway system
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FREON™ NEW!
The Chemours Company
freon n. : fluorocarbon refrigerant
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FRISBEE™
Wham-O Manufacturing Corp.
frisbee n.; frisbees n. pl. : toy flying saucer for toss games
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GATORADE™
The Gatorade Company
gatorade n. : nutrition supplement drink
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GOOGLE™
Google, Inc.
to google v.; googled v. p.; googling v. pr. : to perform a Web-based search-engine query
I frequently google my favourite baseball teams.
Editor's Note: Use of google with the preposition for may be equally if not more prevalent. Furthermore, it appears that reference to Google search technology is still inferred.
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HALLS™
Warner-Lambert Company
halls n.; halls n. pl. : a vapor-action cough suppressent tablet
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HI-LITER™
Avery Dennison Corp.
hi-liter, hiliter n.; hi-liters, hiliters n. pl. : a pen-style highlighting marker
hi-lite, hilite n.; hi-lites, hilites n. pl. : highlighted text
to hi-lite, to hilite v.; hi-lit, hilited, hi-lited v. p.; hi-liting, hiliting v. pr. : to highlight text with a pen
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HULA-HOOP ™ NEW!
Wham-O Manufacturing Corp.
hula-hoop n.; hula-hoops n. pl. : a twirling toy hoop
hula-hooper n.; hula-hoopers n. pl. : a person that plays with a twirling toy hoop
to hula-hoop v.; hula-hooped v. p.; hula-hooping v. pr. : to play with a twirling toy hoop
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IPAD™ NEW!
Apple, Inc.
ipad n.; ipads n. pl. : a tablet computer
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IPHONE™ NEW!
Apple, Inc.
iphone n.; iphones n. pl. : a mobile phone
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IPOD™ NEW!
Apple, Inc.
ipod n.; ipods n. pl. : a handheld media player
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JACUZZI™ NEW!
Jacuzzi, Inc.
jacuzzi n.; jacuzzis n. pl. : a hot tub spa
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JEEP™
Chrysler Corp.
jeep n.; jeeps n. pl. : a compact sport-utility station wagon
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JELL-O™
Kraft Foods, Inc.
jell-o, jello n. : fruit flavored gelatin
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JET SKI™ NEW!
Kawasaki Motors Corp.
jet ski n.; jet skis n. pl. : a personal motor-powered watercraft
to jet ski v.; jet skied v. p.; jet skiing v. pr. : to ride or operate a personal motor-powered watercraft
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JOCKEY™ NEW!
Jockey International, Inc.
jockeys, jockey shorts n. : men's briefs
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KLEENEX™ POPULAR!
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
kleenex n.; kleenexes n. pl. : a soft facial tissue
Dry your excess lipstick with this kleenex.
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KOOL-AID™
Kraft Foods, Inc.
Kool-Aid, cool aid, coolaid n. : instant lemonade
On a hot summer's day, there's nothing like a refreshing glass of cool aid.
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LA-Z-BOY™ NEW!
La-Z-Boy, Inc.
la-z-boy, lazyboy n.; la-z-boys, lazyboys n. pl. : recliner
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LEGO™
The LEGO Group
lego n.; legos n. pl. : a plastic, snap-action building block
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LIFE SAVERS™ NEW!
Mars, Inc.
life savers n. : ring-shaped flavored candy
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LISTERINE™
Warner-Lambert Company
listerine n. : antiseptic mouthwash
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LYCRA™
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont)
lycra n. : nylon spandex
lycra adj. : consisting of nylon spandex
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MACE™ NEW!
Mace Security International, Inc.
mace n. : pepper spray
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MUZAK™
Muzak, L.P.
muzak n. : contemporary instrumental music; nonvocal nuage-pop-jazz blend; slang elevator music
to muzak v.; muzaked v. p.; muzaking v. pr. : to form into muzak
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PAM™ NEW!
Congra Brands, Inc.
pam n. : no-stick cooking spray
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PAMPERS™ NEW!
Procter & Gamble Corp.
pampers n. : baby diapers
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PEPSI™
PepsiCo, Inc.
pepsi n.; pepsis n. pl. : can of soda pop
pepsi n. : color carbonated soft drink
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PHOTOSHOP™ NEW!
Adobe Systems Inc.
photoshop n.; photoshops n. : a digital photo manipulation
to photoshop v.; photoshopped v. p.; photoshopping v. pr. : to digitally alter a photograph
I couldn't even tell that you had photoshopped the entire background!
Editor's Note: Photoshop is one of the few proprietary eponyms that appears more often in verb form than any other parts of speech.
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PING-PONG™ NEW!
Parker Brothers
ping-pong n. : table tennis
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PLAY-DOH™ NEW!
Hasbro, Inc.
play-doh n. : modeling compound
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POPSICLE™
Good Humor - Breyers Ice Cream Company
popsicle n.; popsicles n. pl. : a stick of colored ice candy
It's fun to try and make popsicles on a ninety-degree afternoon.
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POP TART™
Kellogg Company
pop tart n.; pop tarts n. pl. : toaster pastry
I always keep a fresh supply of frosted pop tarts in my desk drawer.
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POST-IT NOTE™ POPULAR!
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M)
post-it note, post-it n.; post-it notes, post-its n. pl. : a self-stick removable reminder label
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POWERPOINT ™ NEW!
Microsoft Corp.
powerpoint n.; powerpoints n. pl. : a multimedia slide presentation, typically in an academic or business setting
Did you put together a powerpoint for our latest product line yet?
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Q-TIPS™
Unilever PLC
q-tip n.; q-tips n. pl. : a cotton swab applicator
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RAZOR™ NEW!
Razor USA LLC
razor n.; razors n. pl. : a kick scooter
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RICE KRISPIES™
Kellogg Company
rice krispies n. : toasted crispy rice cereal
rice krispies treat, rice krispy treat n.; rice krispies treats, rice krispy treats n. pl. : a marshmellow rice bar
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ROLLERBLADE™ NEW!
Tecnica Group S.p.A.
rollerblades n. : inline skates
to rollerblad v.; rollerbladed v. p.; rollerblading v. pr. : to propel oneself wearing inline skates
Today is the perfect weather for rollerblading with my friends!
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ROLODEX™
Newell Company
rolodex n.; rolodexes n. pl. : a rotary card file; slang a contact directory
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SARAN WRAP™
Dow Chemical Company
saran wrap n.; saran wrap n. pl. : plastic food storage wrap
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SCOTCH™ POPULAR!
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M)
scotch tape n. : cellophane adhesive tape
to scotch tape v.; scotch taped v. p.; scotch taping v. pr. : to join together with cellophane adhesive tape
Can I borrow an open roll of scotch tape, please?
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SHARPIE™ POPULAR!
Newell Brands
sharpie n.; sharpies n. pl. : a permanent fine-tip marker
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SHEETROCK™ NEW!
USG Corp.
sheetrock n. : drywall
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SLIM JIM™ NEW!
Congra Brands, Inc.
slim jim n. : meat stick
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SPAM™
Hormel Foods Corp.
spam n. : smoked pork and ham luncheon loaf; slang (usually all caps) random and innapropriate facsimile advertising, esp. UBE and UCE
to spam v.; spammed v. p.; spamming v. pr. : slang (usually all caps) to post or send broadcast or commercial facsimiles
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SPEEDOS™ NEW!
PVH Corp.
speedo n.; speedos n. pl. : a brief style competition swimsuit for boys or men
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STYROFOAM™ POPULAR!
Dow Chemical Company
styrofoam n. : extruded polystyrene insulating foam
styrofoam adj. : consisting of extruded polystyrene foam
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TARMAC™ NEW!
Tarmac Holdings Limited
tarmac n.; tarmacs n. pl. : an airport taxiway or runway; a blacktop surface
Editor's Note: Aviation professionals strongly discourage the use of tarmac to describe runways.
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TAMPAX™ NEW!
Procter & Gamble Corp.
tampax n.; tampax n. pl. : a tampon
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TASER™ NEW!
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
taser n.; tasers n. pl. : a conducted electric weapon
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TEFLON™ NEW!
The Chemours Company
tefelon n. : nonstick cookware coating
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THERMOS™ DEFUNCT
Top Thermo Manufacturing SDN BHD
thermos n.; thermoses n. pl. : a thermal insulated flask or box
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TABASCO™ NEW!
McIlhenny Company
tabasco n. : hot sauce
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TUPPERWARE™ POPULAR!
Tupperware Brands Corp.
tupperware n. pl. : resealable plastic food containers
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TWIZZLERS™
Hershey Foods Corp.
twizzlers n.; twizzlers n. pl. : a fruit-twist confectionary
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TYLENOL™
Johnson & Johnson
tylenol n.; tylenol n. pl. : an acetaminophine tablet
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UNIX™ NEW!
The Open Group
Unix n. : command-line computer operating system inspired by AT&T UNIX
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VASELINE™
Unilever PLC
vaseline n. : pure petroleum jelly
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VELCRO™
Velcro Industries B.V.
velcro n. : hook and loop fastener; touch fastener
The black sandals with velcro seem to fit best.
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VICKS™
Warner-Lambert Company
vicks, vix n. : nasal decongestant cream
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VISINE™ NEW!
Johnson & Johnson
visine n. : eye drops
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WALKMAN™
Sony Corp.
walkman n.; walkmans n. pl. : handheld radio-cassette player
Wait, don't most walkmans come with a pair of earphones?
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WEBSTER’S™
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
webster’s, websters n. : pocket or desk reference dictionary
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WINDBREAKER™ DEFUNCT
John Rissman & Son
windbreaker n. : a wind-resistant jacket
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WINDEX™ NEW!
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.
windex n. : glass cleaner spray
To avoid streaks, you should use windex to wash those glass panels.
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WITE-OUT™ POPULAR!
BIC Corp.
wite-out, white out, white-out n. : typographical correction fluid
This report is literally layered with white out. What happened?
to wite-out, to white out, to white-out v.; wited-out, whited out, whited-out v. p.; witing-out, whiting out, whiting-out v. pr. : to cover or wipe out an error, usually typographical
The title still needs to be whited out.
Editor's Note: Another possible variation of the verb wite-out is the construction white...off as in “Could you please white my name off that agreement.”
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X-ACTO™ NEW!
Elmers Products, Inc.
xacto knife n. : hobby knife
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XEROX™ POPULAR!
Xerox Corp.
xerox n.; xeroxes n. pl. : photocopy produced by an electronic xerography machine
Julian requested a xerox of all relevant marketing materials.
to xerox v.; xeroxed v. p.; xeroxing v. pr. : to photocopy by means of an electronic xerography machine
Can you xerox these within the hour?
xeroxer n. ; xeroxers n. pl. : a person who routinely operates a photocopier; an electronic xerography machine
We must purchase more xeroxers for the office.
Editor's Note: Xerox is one of the few proprietary eponyms that appears more often in verb form than any other parts of speech.
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ZIPLOC™
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.
ziploc, ziploc bag n.; ziplocs, ziploc bags n. pl. : resealable zipper storage bag
Can you put the leftovers in a ziploc bag please?
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Copyright © 1997-2019, Randall E. Krause. All rights reserved.
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