TED CONNOLLY

摘要

Now and again, a product emerges that is so successful that all others of its type are given the same title. That is what is known as a generic name. Good examples are Tannoy, Sellotape, Pop Rivet, Monkey Wrench (yes, really -the bloke's name was Monkey), Portakabin and JCB. They are all trade names, yet are widely used to describe any product or piece of equipment that falls into their category. Another, of course, is Hoover. That term is commonly used to refer to a vacuum cleaner, even though it is from a completely different company. Fascinating, eh? Well, not really, but I just thought I'd chuck those few gems in to lead me on to the subject about to be expostulated upon.