Is there a word for this phenomenon?

[mugs]

When a brand name becomes a general term for the product? Like Kleenex referring to all tissues, Xerox referring to all photocopiers (or the act of photocopying), etc?

 

[Brutuskend]

Yes.

Don't know what it is though.

 

[mugs]

Eponym?

This page seems to think so, but that doesn't really fit with my understanding of the definition of the word.

 

[chowmein]

corporate dumbassers

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: mugs
Eponym?

This page seems to think so, but that doesn't really fit with my understanding of the definition of the word.

Close

 

[Pohemi]

Q-tips??

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: mugs
Eponym?

This page seems to think so, but that doesn't really fit with my understanding of the definition of the word.

Proprietary eponyms. They are completely different from the standard definition.

 

[mpitts]

ubiquitous

 

[murban135]

This is probably not the final word on the topic but they come up with "genericide" (killing a brand name by making it generic) on page 4.

Genericide

 

[Hammer]

generic descriptor or brand eponym

 

[Snapster]

ubiquitous / synonymous