When you have a cut, do you go looking for a Band-Aid, or an “adhesive bandage?” Dealing with diaper rash? You’re probably going through the bathroom looking for Vaseline, rather than “petroleum jelly,” right? When your nose is running, I bet you’re more likely to ask for a Kleenex than a “facial tissue.” (By the way, you’re a real wreck right now and might want to make an appointment with your doctor…I’m just sayin’.”)
Anyway, there are a whole lot of brands names that seem almost more common than the actual item they represent. Heck, I hear that in the South, they call all soda pop “Coke!”
That seems to also be the case with online searches. Yesterday’s post took a look at how our freelancing jobs may be in mortal peril should our clients discover Let Me Google That for You, and it made me realize how common it is for us to use the word “Google” as a verb. (See, I mentioned a part of speech…this post is now officially writing-related and therefore is guilt-free and NOT procrastination.)
Someone has realized that the ubiquitous use of the term “Google” may be somewhat detrimental to the newly-released Microsoft search engine called “Bing.” Check out this video at CollegeHumor.com to see what would happen if Bing used the word “Google” the way the rest of us do.
Lordy. There are so many Googles in that ad I might make a drinking game out of it – but then I’d end up having to drive everyone home.