# Using brand names for generic products **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 15, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536 "2004-06-15T20:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/1 "2004-06-15T20:32:42Z")
A strange neuroticsim I’ve had since lucidity has made my brain thob in pain everytime someone used a brand name to refer to a generic product. I grew up throwing fits everytime someone misapplied the titles “Nintendo”, “Vaseline”, and “Kleenex”. I’m glad two out of three of those are basically dead, (nobody rants about their kids playing “Nintendo” all day anymore due to the speed of technology, and age has killed off the generation old enough to witness the emergence of disposable hankerchiefs and thus grant the industry’s initial leader the loyalty of a generic product titling, but sadly people still refer to any old jar of petroleum jelly as Vaseline), however, there have been too many new annoyances that took its place: Speedos: Speedo makes all types of swimwear, including googles, trunks, and caps. They even make generic athletic wear. Also, they don’t hold any monopolizing patents on men’s swimming briefs, so describing someone as wearing Speedos means _NOTHING_. PalmPilot: When’s the last time anyone has seen a PalmPilot? They’re before my time, at least - Palm doesn’ t mention them at all on their website. Palm has moved on to Zires and Tungstens, people, and Sony and HP, while having plenty of PDA models, have never sold PalmPilots in their lives. In fact, I think those things died when Palm became its own company independent of U.S. Robotics (the original PalmPilot merchant). Tivo: This one holds the double annoyance of becoming a verbed brand name. Basically, there are more time-shifting services and PVRs besides Tivo, and Tivo didn’t even debut alone (remember ReplayTV?) Photoshop: Another verbed product. At least we don’t say MSPainted though. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/2 "2004-06-15T20:39:34Z")
Well, see, there’s denotation and then there’s connotation. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/3 "2004-06-15T20:43:08Z")
Relax! Have some Jello. ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/4 "2004-06-15T20:51:52Z")
I’m sure you’ve never “xerox’ed” a sheet of paper. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/5 "2004-06-15T20:54:12Z")
Sounds like you’d make a good lawyer for one of the companies that makes one of those brand names. I’m just curious; do you spend all your days actively _looking_ for stuff to get perturbed about, or does it come naturally? ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/6 "2004-06-15T21:22:37Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > PalmPilot: When’s the last time anyone has seen a PalmPilot? They’re before my time, at least - Palm doesn’ t mention them at all on their website. Palm has moved on to Zires and Tungstens, people, and Sony and HP, while having plenty of PDA models, have never sold PalmPilots in their lives. In fact, I think those things died when Palm became its own company independent of U.S. Robotics (the original PalmPilot merchant). Actually, if you want to be precise and nitpicky(like the whole of your post), U.S. Robotics sold to 3COM. 3COM sold the Palm Pilot for many years until they spun the company off as “Palm” and started pushing the [Palm.com](http://Palm.com) name and what not. Only for the last 2 or 3 years have they dropped the Palmpilot line(which included the Palm 3, 3i, 3x, Etc, Palm V, Vi, Vx, the Palm VII, Etc.), and have now replaced it with the Palm Zire and Tungsten models. They’re still “Palm Pilots”, though and they still run PalmOS, use the [Palm.com](http://Palm.com) portal, Etc. Obviously this doesn’t include any offering by Sony or HPaq, or any other hardware manufacturer that uses PocketPC OS from Microsoft or WinCE, but a palm is a palm is a palm pilot. If you wanted to broaden your definition of “palm pilot” to “a piece of technology using the PalmOS”, that would include the Handspring(which surpassed palm in their hardware), and others. But that would be narrow and nitpicky, right? 🙂 Sam ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/7 "2004-06-15T21:45:39Z")
Here. Have an aspirin. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/8 "2004-06-15T21:52:29Z")
Wow, what a pathetic rant. As someone who knew a guy in college who used to do this, let me tell you how annoying most of the known universe views this attitude/behavior. “Speedo” may be a brand name, but 95% of the western world knows EXACTLY what is being described, and so do you. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/9 "2004-06-15T22:27:35Z")
Yay, it’s time for **Pizzabrat** ’s weekly attention-whoring thread! Your life must be pretty darn pleasant if _this_ is the only thing you can find to rant about. Nitpicking at it’s finest. Unless you’re trying to be humorous. In that case: damn, dude. Even when you’re trying to be funny you’re arrogant and condescending. That takes a special level of skill, I am officially impressed. Although I _am_ missing your usual willfully obtuse act. That one is a personal favorite of mine. And a _Palm Pilot_ is before your time? Unless you’re in pre-school (which is entirely possible as you’ve yet to display debating skills above that of a 5 year old) I find that rather hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/10 "2004-06-15T22:36:01Z")
Have you ever thought about getting a hobby, **pizzabrat**? Perhaps stamp-collecting or model airplane building - or maybe skydiving or underwater basket weaving. Just…something. Ava ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/11 "2004-06-15T22:59:42Z")
Has “Speedos” even confused anyone? It’s not like we’re using it in place of some other easy word. The closest is probably “swimming briefs”, and that’s still pretty crappy. ---
**Author:** ![jujuju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@jujuju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jujuju)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/12 "2004-06-15T23:27:23Z")
speedos = grape smugglers? ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/13 "2004-06-15T23:49:57Z")
Junkie: Mary Mother of God, I cut my hand on a rubber band! Do you sell Band-Aids? Randal: Band-Aids is a brand name. The proper term is “adhesive strips”. Dante: The man is bleeding to death, and you’re getting into sematics arguement? -from “Clerks: The Animated Series” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/14 "2004-06-16T00:21:26Z")
> [@jujuju](#): > > speedos = grape smugglers? Marble bag? ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/15 "2004-06-16T01:59:39Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Relax! Have some Jello. Oh yeah. Jello. I remember reminding my elementary school peers that they were enjoying a “gelatin dessert”, and not necessarily “Jello”. > [@cmason32](#): > > I’m sure you’ve never “xerox’ed” a sheet of paper. Of course not. And interestingly enough, when I was introduced to photocopies en masse, the fogies who populated the staff of my Middle and High schools refered to them as “dittos”. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/16 "2004-06-16T02:52:11Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > And interestingly enough, when I was introduced to photocopies en masse, the fogies who populated the staff of my Middle and High schools refered to them as “dittos”. Interesting. I think of the term “Xerox” as a rather American one. Growing up in Australia, it was always “photocopies.” But i can’t stand around talking–i have to go Hoover the rug. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/17 "2004-06-16T02:58:09Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > They’re still “Palm Pilots”, though and they still run PalmOS, use the [Palm.com](http://Palm.com) portal, Etc. No, they’re not. Palm dropped the Pilot in Palm Pilot years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/18 "2004-06-16T03:34:54Z")
> [@porcupine](#): > > Here. Have an aspirin. He’ll need a coke to wash it down. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/19 "2004-06-16T03:38:41Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Marble bag? I think the correct generic terminology is “banana hammock”… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2004, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536/20 "2004-06-16T06:30:17Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > PalmPilot: When’s the last time anyone has seen a PalmPilot? About 10 seconds ago. I still carry my Palm V with me wherever I go. It does all I need it to do, so I’ve never seen any point in spending the money to upgrade to a newer model. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-brand-names-for-generic-products/250536.md?page=2)