In listening to one of my favorite podcasts (Stop! … Grammar Time*) on the way to work recently, one of the topics was products that are a brand name and should be capitalized even though generic products are commonly called by the brand name. There are many of them. Here are a few:
Adobe – brand name of PDF program, even though some people say “Adobe” when they are referring to a PDF
Astroturf – brand of artificial grass
Band-Aid – brand of bandage
Boogie board – Boogie is a tradename for body board
BOOKS ON TAPE -brand name for audiobooks
Breathalyzer -brand name for breath alcohol testing equipment
Bubble Wrap – brand name for cushioning product for shipping
Champagne – sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wine from anywhere other than the Champagne region of France cannot be called “Champagne” but must be called “sparkling wine.”
Clicker – brand name of garage door opener
Clorox – brand name of bleach
Coke – brand name for cola flavored soda – short for Coca Cola
Disposall – brand name for garbage disposer in the sink
Dixie cup – Dixie is brand name for disposable cup
Dumpster – trademarked brand name for type of trash bin
Frisbee – trade name for flying disc toy
Jacuzzi – brand name of hot tub
Jet Ski – brand name for personal watercraft
Karo – brand name of corn syrup
Kitty Litter – brand name of cat box filler
Kleenex – brand name of tissue
La-Z-Boy – brand name of recliner
Levi’s – brand name of denim pants
Mace – brand name of pepper spray
Magic Marker – brand name of permanent marker
Plexiglass – brand name of acrylic sheet
Popsicle – brand name of frozen ice pop
Post-it – brand name of sticky notes
Q-tips – brand name of cotton swab
Rolodex – brand name of contact card system
Scotch Tape – brand name of invisible tape
Seeing Eye dog – name of organization that trains dogs for use by blind people
SHEETROCK – brand name of gypsum panel
Solo cup – Solo is brand name of disposal cup
Styrofoam – brand name of plastic foam
Super Glue – brand name of permanent adhesive
Tabasco – brand name of hot pepper sauce
Taser – brand name of stun gun
Vaseline – brand name of petroleum jelly products
Velcro – brand name of hook and loop fastener
WD-40 – brand name of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers
Windbreaker – brand name of wind resistant sports jacket
Windex – brand name of window cleaner
Wite-Out – brand name of correction fluid
Xerox – brand name of copier equipment
Yellow Pages – brand name of telephone directory advertising section
Ziploc – brand name of reusable, re-sealable zipper storage bag
These brand names should be used only when talking about that specific brand and should then be properly capitalized.
*Note that “Stop . . . Grammar Time” contains language that might be offensive to some but is still a very informative podcast.
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