Brand
names that we use as ordinary words!
Objective:
To improve your
reading and listening skills.
Think
about it: Have you got any Rollerblades? When was the last time
you used some Chapstick? Why? Have you ever had to blow into a Breathalyzer? Where were you
at the time? Do you ever use Tupperware? What for? Have you got anything with
Velcro on it? What? When was the last time you threw a Frisbee? Where
were you?
1. Pre-reading
Look over the list of brand names below. Which ones are used as ordinary
words in your
country? Hoover, Escalator, Aspirin, Bubble Wrap, Jet Ski, Jacuzzi,
Bikini, Yo-Yo, Trampoline, Boogie Board, Hi-Liter, Thermos, Blu-Tack, Tippex,
Dental Floss, Breathalyzer, Rollerblades, Chapstick, Tupperware, Velcro, Post-It,
Kleenex, Frisbee
2.
Reading I
Read or listen to the article about brand names. Which information is
the most surprising or interesting?
3. Reading II
Read the article again. Then, answer the questions.
1. Who
invented the Breathalyzer?
2. When
were Rollerblades invented?
3. When
was Tupperware introduced to the market?
4. What
animal helped George de Mastreal invent Velcro?
5. When
was Kleenex introduced to the market?
6. Who
invented the Frisbee?
Aspirin, Kleenex, Escalator, Tupperware, Velcro, Bubble Wrap… they’re all
brand names that we often use as ordinary words. But what are their origins?
Breathalyzer
The
Breathalyzer was invented by Indiana University professor
Rolla Harger in 1931. It was originally called the Drunk-O-Meter.
Typical sentence: “The police officer asked her to blow into
the Breathalyzer.”
Rollerblades
Two
hockey player brothers designed Rollerblade inline skates from a pair of
old rollerskates in 1979. Until the mid-80s, they were the only
brand available.
Typical sentence: “We went Rollerblading at the weekend.”
Chapstick
This
brand name of lip balm was originally produced by pharmaceutical
giant Pfizer.
Typical sentence: “I put some Chapstick on because my lips
were dry.”
Tupperware
Tupperware got its name from creator Earle Silas Tupper. It was introduced to the public
in 1948. Typical
sentence: “I
take my lunch to work in Tupperware.”
Velcro
George
de Mastreal invented Velcro after noticing how plants stuck to
his dog’s fur after a walk in the country. These days, Velcro is
used on a whole range of products including shoes and bags. Typical sentence: “His shoes had Velcro instead of laces.”
Post-It
Dr
Spencer Silver invented this adhesive in 1968 and scientist Art Fry
thought up a practical use for it in 1974. Post-its were initially
available for sale under the name Press ‘N Peel. Typical sentence: “She wrote the message on a Post-it.”
Kleenex
This
brand of tissue was introduced into the market in 1924 and is a
registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Typical sentence: “Have you got any Kleenex? I need to blow
my nose.”
Frisbee
What
would a day out at the beach be like without a Frisbee? Walter Morrison came up
with the idea for this flying disc in 1937. Typical sentence: “She threw the Frisbee to him.”
How
many of these brand names exist in your country?
Watch this
video on brand names. “25 Common Words That You Didn’t Realize Are Actually Brand
Names”.
Trademarks
There are three ways of referring to trademarks in text: by giving them
a capital letter, by making them all capitals or by adding the ® symbol. For example:
• Canon cameras
• CANON cameras
• Canon® cameras
Officially, you should also only use a trademark as an adjective, not as
a noun or verb. For example, you should say, “I had a Budweiser beer” (NOT, “I
had a Budweiser”). The ® symbol is used for marks that have been registered
with an official patent office.
Glossary
a Breathalyzer n a
machine that can tell you how much alcohol you've drunk
inline skates n a
type of shoe with a line of four or five wheels.
Also called Rollerblades
roller-skates n shoes
with four small wheels on the bottom
lip balm n a
cream that you put on your lips
lips n the part of your mouth you use for kissing
Tupperware n a
range of plastic containers with tightfitting lids
(tops) for storing food
Velcro n a
material with two strips of nylon fabric which
you press together to close things
such as pockets and bags
to stick to exp if A
“sticks to” B, A becomes attached to B
and it’s hard to take it off
fur n the hair on an animal’s body
laces n the pieces of string on your shoes that you use to tie them so they don't fall off
an adhesive n a
substance such as glue which is used to
stick (join) things together
Post-it n a
piece of paper with an adhesive strip on
one side. You can write notes on it
a tissue n a
piece of thin soft paper that you use to blow
or clean your nose
FREE audio lesson: The origins of some famous brand names