FRIGIDAIRE and KLEENEX (was ICE BOX)

[sagehen]

>In a message dated 2/28/05 8:40:55 PM, sagehen at WESTELCOM.COM writes:
>
>
>> I agree.  In fact I made much the same argument in an exchange on another
>> list."Frigidaire" was one of those inspired brand names like "Kleenex" that
>> became the generic. It may not be so universally used now as it was in the
>> 40s & 50s, since now we just say "fridge."
>>
>
>Neither "Frigidaire" nor "Kleenex" is "the generic." "Refrigerator" is
>clearly "the generic" and has a shorthand form, "fridge" (cf. "televison" and
>"telly"). "Frigidaire" is a brand name that is found on all manner of major
>appliances, not just those that keep things cold.
>
>"Kleenex" is a trademark, not a "generic," though people do indeed use it as
>a shorthand for the generic "(paper) tissue." Surely there are very few
>people
>who would not understand a request for a "tissue," or would be mystified
>about such phrases and sentences as "a box of tissues" or "She used a
>tissue to
>dry her eyes." Likewise, few people would be confused if asked to purchase
>"Kleenex rubber panties" or "Kleenex cocktail napkins."
~~~~~~~~~~
You're talking technically, legally.  What we're saying (or at least I am)
is that these two trademarks have become naturalized, figuratively
speaking, and do function as the generic, even though the companies instead
of simply glorying in their success choose to grouse about people's not
capitalizing and  adding little  doodads.  I, as a matter of fact, would
be puzzled by "Kleenex rubber pants" or "Kleenex napkins,"  but I am a
dinosaur &  not always au courant with the new-fangled.
AM

A&M Murie
N. Bangor NY
sagehen at westelcom.com