Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Word Finding Help ( No Answer,   4 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Word Finding Help
Category: Reference, Education and News
Asked by: ejclimber-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 09 Feb 2006 14:31 PST
Expires: 11 Mar 2006 14:31 PST
Question ID: 443827
what i am looking for is the VERB for when you use a Proprietary Eponym.
It's the action of using this p.e., there is a word for this............
thanks for your help

http://rinkworks.com/words/eponyms.shtml
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Word Finding Help
From: rainbow-ga on 09 Feb 2006 14:58 PST
 
Genericize?
Subject: Re: Word Finding Help
From: myoarin-ga on 09 Feb 2006 15:42 PST
 
Does there have to be a word for this?
A PE by definition is an expression that has lost its trademark
protection, or  - perhaps more accurately -  through common usage,
many people no longer recognize the distinction, using the word as a
generic term:  kleenex for tissue, hoover for vacuum cleaner
(hoovering for vacuum cleaning).
This is incorrect usage until it becomes generally accepted.  Example:
you ask someone for a kleenex, and the person replies:  "Would a
Scottie do?"  For that person, Kleenex is not yet a PE.  If he or she
just hands you a Scottie, then they have accepted kleenex as a PE.

That said, Rainbow has given the word used for this:
http://www.marketingpower.com/mg-dictionary-view4125.php

I expect someone would have to be an awful pedant to use the word in
one on one conversation:  Child:  "Give me a kleenex."  Father
(English teacher who still wears starched collars):  "Don't
genericize.  You know we only have Scotties.  Ask for a tissue.  And
don't say "gimme."
Subject: Re: Word Finding Help
From: voila-ga on 10 Feb 2006 07:38 PST
 
From an IEEE newsletter:

==Commonization==
Conversion of a proper noun or proprietary word to common usage. 
Google is now going through this process (?Why don?t you google it and
see what you get??), just as Xerox did in an earlier generation.

Or from the proprietary viewpoint perhaps:

==Verbicide==
The destruction of the sense or value of a word.
http://rinkworks.com/words/linguistics.shtml
Subject: Re: Word Finding Help
From: q_juno-ga on 13 Feb 2006 12:21 PST
 
Genericide?
Proprietary eponym?
Wikipedia - "genericized trademark"

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy