In general, avoid using brand names. Instead, choose a more detailed but generic description. (Product stories are an obvious exception.)
incorrect: The IKEA sofa creates a lively focal point.
correct: A bright, contemporary sofa creates a lively focal point.
Be aware that some names that have made their way into the vernacular are actually trademarked brand names that usually should be avoided. Con-Tact paper, Crock-Pot, Jacuzzi, Lycra, Plexiglas, Sheetrock, Spackle, Styrofoam, Thermos, and Velcro are just a few. If you do use a trademarked name, be sure you’re using it correctly. It’s just as bad to call a generic product “Plexiglas” as it is to call the name brand “plexiglass.” Also, use trademark symbols (™ and ®) only with Meredith products.
Following is a list of common trademarks with the appropriate generic terminology. For a more complete list, search the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database.
| Anaglypta | embossed decorative wall covering |
|---|---|
| Baggies | plastic bags |
| Band-Aid | adhesive bandages |
| Bel Paese | cheese |
| Bundt pan | fluted cake/tube pan |
| Carborundum | abrasive |
| Chalk Paint | paint with a matte, almost chalky, finish |
| Con-Tact | self-sticking covering |
| Corian | solid-surfacing |
| CorningWare (12/2/20) | cookware, ovenware |
| Cran- | cranberry |
| Crescent wrench | adjustable-end wrench |
| Crock-Pot | slow cooker |
| Cuisinart | food processor |
| Cyclone fence | chain-link fence |
| Dacron | polyester fiber/fiberfill |
| Day-Glo | fluorescent |
| Derby-Pie | chocolate-nut pie |
| Dry Ice | refrigerant |
| Feather Rock | lightweight or porous rock |
| Fiberglas | fiberglass/glass fibers |
| Fiestaware | use for Fiesta products made by Homer Laughlin China Co. |
| Filo | phyllo/pastry dough |
| Flex-arm lamp | swing-arm lamp |
| Formica | plastic laminate |
| Gunite | pneumatically applied concrete |
| Herculon | olefin fiber |
| Hershey’s Kisses | Kisses milk chocolates (see Word List) |
| Hide-A-Bed | sofa bed |
| Hot Tray | electric warming tray |
| Instant Pot | multifunction electric pressure cooker |
| Jacuzzi | whirlpool bath |
| Jell-O | gelatin |
| Jenn-Air | self-venting range |
| Kiddie Kar | toy car |
| Kitty Litter | cat box filler |
| Kool-Aid | soft-drink mix |
| Laundromat | coin laundry/self-service laundry |
| Legos | plastic construction toys |
| Lincrusta | decorative wall coverings |
| Liquid Nails | building materials adhesive |
| Louver drapery | vertical blinds |
| Lucite | acrylic resin/acrylic plastic |
| Lycra | spandex fiber |
| Mace | liquid tear gas |
| Masa Harina | tortilla flour |
| Masonite | hardboard/fiberboard |
| Molly bolt | expansion bolt/hollow wall anchor |
| Mylar | clear polyester film |
| Naval Jelly | petroleum jelly |
| Oasis | floral foam (updated 2/6/17) |
| Peg-Board | perforated board/pegboard |
| Pellon | fusible webbing |
| Ping-Pong | table tennis |
| Plastic Wood | wood filler |
| Play-Doh | modeling clay |
| Plexiglas | acrylic plastic/plexiglass |
| Poly-Fil | synthetic fiber |
| Polyweb | fusible webbing |
| Popsicle | frozen dessert/pop stick |
| Procion | fabric dye |
| Pyrex | heat-resistant glassware |
| Q-Tips | cotton swabs |
| Realtor | real estate agent (unless member) |
| Roquefort | blue cheese |
| Saran Wrap | plastic film |
| Scotchgard | protective spray coating |
| Sheetrock | drywall/wallboard/plasterboard |
| Shabby Chic | timeworn elegance/timeworn chic |
| Simoniz | polish/wax |
| Sonontubes | concrete form tubes |
| Spackle | surfacing compound |
| Spode | sponge ware |
| Stetson | high-brimmed hat |
| Stitch Witchery | fusible webbing |
| Styrofoam | foam |
| Tabasco sauce | hot pepper sauce |
| Teflon | fluorocarbon resins/nonstick coating |
| Thermopane | insulated glass |
| Thermos | thermal container |
| Tinkertoy | construction toy |
| Ultrasuede | imitation suede |
| Vaseline | petroleum jelly |
| Velcro | touch fastener/hook-and-loop tape |
| Vise-Grip | locking plier-wrench |
| Waferwood | waferboard |
| Walkman | portable radio/stereo and headphones |
| Weed Eater | grass and weed trimmer |
| Weight Watchers | diet foods |
| Woodtape | decorative wood strips |
| X-acto | crafts knife |
| Xerox | photocopy |
| Yellow Pages | no longer a trademark, but often capitalized |
| Ziploc | resealable plastic storage bags, ziplock plastic bags |
Trademarks
Common trademarks
Meredith trademarks