Things We Call By Brand Name Rather Than What They Actually Are.
I thought of sharing this while I was having my Roti Prata afew days ago and discussing with my sis about something related to cheese.
What do you call those cheese slices? I call it
Cheesedale!! I guess it resulted from an old advertisement when I was young, and from then on whenever I go to the supermarket with mum I would say: "can buy
cheesedale?"
There are actually ALOT of stuff which we call by brand name instead of their generic name! I think it actually shows the success of the brand marketing. Here's my list of items that I called wrongly:
1. PampersActual name: Diapers
My parents call it
Pampers and I always thought that it was called
Pampers but when I grow up then I realise it is actually a brand name and it should be called Diapers. Who else call it
Pampers??
2. KotexActual name: Sanitary pads
Mum always asks us if we got enough Kotex, even though sometimes the brand we are using is Whisper.
3. Ajinomoto
Actual name: MSG
Since young my maids all call it Ajinomoto also lor -.-" Until I grow up liao then I finally realise it's brand name.
4. ColgateActual name: Toothpaste
5. Mopiko
Actual name: Mosquito Repellent
6. Bubble Wrap
Actual name: Inflated cushioning
7. Uhu GlueActual name: Glue stick
8. Frisbee
Actual name: Flying Disc
9. GoogleActual name: Finding something in a Search Engine (we don't hear people say 'can you go yahoo that?' right?)
10. HulahoopActual name: Toy Hoop Ring
11. PhotoshopActual: Photo Manipulation (I mean, there are other ways to edit pictures besides the photoshop program right?)
12. Play-DohActual: Modeling compound clay for children
13. PolaroidActual: instant photograph or instant camera
14. Post-itsActual: sticky notes
15. Scotch TapeActual: Clear adhesive tape
16. TupperwareActual: Food/Plastic Containers
17. StyrofoamActual: extruded polystyrene foam
18. Vicks/VaselineActual: petroleum jelly
19. Walkie-TalkieActual: any portable handheld radio or two-way radio transceiver.
20. KetchupActual: Tomato sauce
21. MAGGI MEEActual: Instant Noodles. My home uses Myojo and ChuQianYiDing brand but we still called it maggi mee since we are kids. Till now we still say Maggi Mee. Lol.
Can you think of anymore?
I researched some of them, and edited according to local context. Bet you didn't even know you were using Brand name instead of the correct generic name right!!
Just for your info...
Below are a few examples of trademarks that have lost their legal protection — at least in the United States:
(which means they were actually brand names but became so massly used that they because generic names.)
•“Aspirin” — originally a trademark of Bayer AG
•“Cellophane” — originally a trademark of DuPont
•“Dry Ice” — originally a trademark by Dry Ice Corporation of America
•“Escalator” — originally a trademark of the Otis Elevator Company
•“Kerosene” — originally trademarked by Abraham Gesner
•“Videotape” — originally a trademark of Ampex Corporation
•“Yo-Yo” — originally a trademark of Duncan Yo-Yo Company
•“Zipper” — originally a trademark of B.F. Goodrich