GENERICIZE and COMMONIZE

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

there are evident problems with using the technical term (in several
fields) "generic" for various distinct, though possibly related,
concepts.  one of these is the common noun derived historically from a
proper name, a process for which we already have a (to my mind) pretty
good technical term, namely "commonization".  see the OED online entry
for the verb "commonize":
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 3. U.S. To convert (a proper name) into a common noun (verb,
adjective, etc.); to derive (a common noun, etc.) from a proper name.
Also intr. for pass.

    1974 Amer. Speech 1971 XLVI. 122 From its use as a proper place
name, the Watergate quickly became a proper name for an improper event.
There are signs..that it is commonizing... ‘Equally cynical and
deceitful are the corporate Watergates.’ 1979 Amer. Speech 1976 LI. 148
Well-known examples of trade names that have been commonized are
aspirin, cellophane,..nylon, thermos, and zipper. 1982 Comments on
Etym. XII. V. & VI. 6 Yiddish yente is a female given name as well as a
common noun with several pejorative meanings... Only yente (not yentl
or yentlin) has been commonized.
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is there some objection to this terminology in linguistics (as opposed
to the law)?

linguistic change being what it is, the first step in commonization
will be coexistence of the original proper name with its commonized
variant -- one type of autohyponymy.  this state can endure for some
time.  or the proper name can fall into disuse, as with "zipper" and
its relatives.  or the common noun can fall into disuse; do any young
british speakers hoover rugs?

arnold (zwicky at csli.stanford.edu)