ok, sorry about such mundane question - but I can’t think of this damn word.
When you have a component that can be infinitley expanded upon by other, similiar components, it’s called what?
For example, Legos, Lincoln Logs, shelving units etc.
Please help, I’m tortured
Expandable? Scalable? Modular?
<hijack>
Is Legos the right word? I always thought it was Lego blocks or Lego bricks? What do the company call it?
</hijack>
who cares?! “Modular” it is!!!
I … I love you.
kk
Happy to help!
To answer Crusoe’s sorta question (because I knew where to find it)
From Everything2
There are many other interesting meditations on LEGO blocks on that page (and others that are linked to it).
Thanks, epeepunk.
We, as private citizens, consumers, and writers are under no obligation to abide by Lego’s purported restrictions on the use of its trademark. Lego, the government, nobody has any cause of action against me if, when I talk or write about their product, I refer to them as Legos.
Trademark law does not give the holder the right to control all use of the term in question. And a company does not have the power to define the terms of fair use. Fair use is based on our rights under the First Amendment and cannot be limited in this manner.
I have always referred to them as “Legos,” and I intend to continue to do so.
I care about the Lego corporation, and I appreciate what they have given to the world. I also respect people’s desire to protect and preserve their brand of product. Therefore, even though I am not legally obligated to do so, I will henceforth refer to them as “Lego blocks”.
Is this a US usage? I have never heard “Lego” being pluralised, or being used as a noun to describe a single piece. In my childhood, “lego” - not capitalised, at least in my mind - was a collective noun for all the pieces. (“Tidy up that lego, child!”)
If “Legos” is outlawed, only outlaws will say “Legos”!
:j
I can’t imagine “Lego” being used collectively in the U.S., except as an ironic pose (and one seldom bothers with irony with kids, eh?); I and everyone I know call the bricks and blocks “Legos.”
I’ve always referred to one block as a Lego and more than one as Legos.
What about Tinker Toys? Is one a Tinker Toy or a Tinker Toys piece?
Same goes for Lincoln Logs.
When you have a component that can be infinitley expanded upon by other, similiar components, it’s called what?
A fractal?
Let’s slaughter it even more for kicks.
I Legolized my foot in the middle of the night, it was painful. I consider the toys I had as a child, and when I see todays toys it is easy to see the Logolization of the toy market.
Currently held Lego = Legot
Under the couch Lego = Legone
Cheap Lego knockoff = Illelegomate
That’s very noble of you.
Just so you know, your efforts really have no effect on the issue. Neither your nor any other consumer or writer’s use of the word “Lego” has any effect on the Lego company’s trademark rights. They have to say what they say in order to preserve their trademark rights, but it doesn’t matter whether or not you follow it.
I’ve always called them Legos. If the staff in LEGO stores refers to them as legos, so will I. 1 brick is a lego, 2 or more bricks are legos. 
to them. Now I’m off to grab a coke and photoshop some images, but before i do, I’d better wipe my dirty monitor with a kleenex.
Trademarks are supposed to be used as adjectives, but no one can force us to use them as nouns.
err … no one can force us NOT to use them as nouns or verbs.
Hey, xerox a couple and fed-ex them to me, will ya? And if I get a papercut, I’ll use a band-aid.
In that case, I’ll do it just because I respect them, and they did ask for it. It may be true that they had to ask for it, and they don’t really want it, but I think you or anyone would have a hard time showing this.
Now, how sweet would fractal Lego blocks be?
I got your legos right 'ere.