# Legos are\_\_\_\_\_ **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2002, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819 "2002-07-19T15:27:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![krazy\_kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@krazy\_kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazy_kat)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/1 "2002-07-19T15:27:15Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/2 "2002-07-19T15:32:33Z")
Expandable? Scalable? Modular? \ Is Legos the right word? I always thought it was Lego blocks or Lego bricks? What do the company call it? \ ---
**Author:** ![krazy\_kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@krazy\_kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazy_kat)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/3 "2002-07-19T15:34:42Z")
who cares?! “Modular” it is!!! I … I love you. kk ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/4 "2002-07-19T15:42:43Z")
Happy to help! ---
**Author:** ![epeepunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f19dbf/32.png) [@epeepunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epeepunk)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/5 "2002-07-19T15:50:10Z")
To answer **Crusoe** ’s sorta question (because I knew where to find it) From [Everything2](http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=legos&lastnode_id=23232) > [@](#): > > Posted by **TallRoo** > ryano has it right. You crazy Americans have twisted the use of the word Lego, assuming that it works in a plural form. Not so. > See Lego’s [fair use page](http://www.lego.com/info/fair.asp), which describes how the Lego trademark may be used… > > \*If the LEGO trademark is used at all, it should always be used as an adjective, not as a noun. For example, say “MODELS BUILT OF LEGO BRICKS”. Never say “MODELS BUILT OF LEGOs”. \* > > Ahha! Further evidence is to be found in the rec.toys.lego FAQ > > One catalogue, dated 1980, has the following on its back page: > \*Dear Parents and Children > The word LEGO® is a brand name and is very special to all of us in the LEGO Group Companies. We would sincerely like your help in keeping it special. Please always refer to our bricks as ‘LEGO Bricks or Toys’ and not ‘LEGOS.’ By doing so, you will be helping to protect and preserve a brand of which we are very proud and that stands for quality the world over. Thank you! > > Susan Williams > Consumer Services \* > > So, there you go. The definitive answer to the Lego / Legos debate. There are many other interesting meditations on LEGO blocks on that page (and others that are linked to it). ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/6 "2002-07-19T15:56:49Z")
Thanks, **epeepunk**. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/7 "2002-07-19T16:12:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/8 "2002-07-19T16:22:51Z")
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”. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/9 "2002-07-19T16:25:16Z")
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!”) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/10 "2002-07-19T16:26:58Z")
If “Legos” is outlawed, only outlaws will say “Legos”! :j ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/11 "2002-07-19T16:30:53Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/12 "2002-07-19T17:12:31Z")
I’ve always referred to one block as a [Lego](http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/toys/ty1034.php) and more than one as [Legos](http://www.thereverend.com/brick_testament/). What about [Tinker Toys](http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/toys/ty1079.php)? Is one a Tinker Toy or a Tinker Toys piece? Same goes for [Lincoln Logs](http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/toys/ty1036.php). ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/13 "2002-07-19T17:15:25Z")
**When you have a component that can be infinitley expanded upon by other, similiar components, it’s called what?** A fractal? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/14 "2002-07-19T17:40:02Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/15 "2002-07-19T17:57:45Z")
> [@](#): > > 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”. 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. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/16 "2002-07-19T18:11:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![evilhanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba8739/32.png) [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/17 "2002-07-19T18:18:42Z")
err … no one can force us NOT to use them as nouns or verbs. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/18 "2002-07-19T20:22:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by evilhanz \* > **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.** Hey, xerox a couple and fed-ex them to me, will ya? And if I get a papercut, I’ll use a band-aid. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/19 "2002-07-19T20:23:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by acsenray \* > \*\*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. \*\* 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? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819/20 "2002-07-19T20:54:54Z")
I got your legos right 'ere. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legos-are_____/119819.md?page=2)