Different Names for Things (Was: Brand Names Used in Place of Generic Descriptions)

A "flying disc" is called a Frisbee.
A "footbag" is called a Hacky Sack.
A "gelatin dessert" is called Jell-O.
A "first aid strip" is called a Band-Aid.
"Inline skates" are called Rollerblades.

Got any more?

*UPDATE - Thread is now about different names for things in general.

A "tissue" is called a Kleenex.

Instead of 'photocopying' I Xerox papers.

I-Pod instead of "PC, internet and music archive combined".

Or something like that...

There is always the classic example of "hoover" in place of vacuum cleaner.

Sharpie, Magic Marker, and White-Out are pretty universal, but then again those products also have a pretty solid lock on their office-supply niche.

Pennsylvania Jones said:And here's a geeky factoid: did you know that in the book Secret of NIMH was based on, the Brisbys were actually the Frisbys? 

I did not know that!  Actually, I never realized that the name had been changed in the film.  I read the book first, so I suppose I must have heard Frisby whenever the name Brisby was spoken.  It seems ridiculous that this change had to be made.  (I love the film.)

Pennsylvania Jones said:

doubleKO said:

A "flying disc" is called a Frisbee.

And here's a geeky factoid: did you know that in the book Secret of NIMH was based on, the Brisbys were actually the Frisbys?  They changed it when Wham-o Inc. placed a copyright on the name.  Funny thing is, Frisby is a real name, but Brisby isn't.

Check my reason for edit in the OP ;)

I have heard all of these used before, but some are country-specific. In Australia, a tissue is a tissue, a photocopy is a photocopy, a vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner. Also Jell-O is called jelly because here jelly is called jam. Sticking to brand names, here are some that I think are uniquely Australian but may be more widespread:

A "marker pen" is called a Texta.
A "correction fluid" is called Liquid Paper.
A "cooler" or "ice chest" is called an Esky.
A "pharmaceutical analgesic" is called Panadol.
A "water displacing spray" is called WD-40.
A "cigarette paper" is called a Tally-Ho.

doubleKO said:

A "marker pen" is called a Texta.
A "correction fluid" is called Liquid Paper.
A "cooler" or "ice chest" is called an Esky.
A "pharmaceutical analgesic" is called Panadol.
A "water displacing spray" is called WD-40.
A "cigarette paper" is called a Tally-Ho.

I have heard WD-40, liquid paper and Panadol (and I've never been to Australia).  The rest of them I have never heard.  Texta for marker pen is a surprise!  It sounds cool; if you hadn't given the meaning, I would have guessed it had something to do weaving.

skyjedi2005 said:

People call generic acetaminophen Tylenol.

Not exactly a brand name, but I have a bad habit of using "aspirin" for any kind of pain killer.

I know several barisstas, and they often complain that a blended iced mocha drink is commonly called a 'frappucino' by customers.

Then I remind them they're lowly barristas, and need to shut up and make me an Ameircano.

Scotch Tape
Q-Tip
Jacuzzi

TV's Frink said:

skyjedi2005 said:

People call generic acetaminophen Tylenol.

Not exactly a brand name, but I have a bad habit of using "aspirin" for any kind of pain killer.

Aspirin was the norm here until Panadol seemed to take over. Incidentally acetaminophen is known as paracetamol internationally.

TheBoost said:

Scotch Tape
Q-Tip
Jacuzzi

Thanks Boost! I thought of Scotch Tape and forgot it again, although here it's sticky tape.

"Cyanoacrylate" is called Krazy Glue.
"Inflatable armbands" are called Floaties.
"Plastic food containers" are called Tupperware.
A "reclining sofa" is called a La-Z-Boy.

A "solar water heater" is called a Solahart.
An "automatic pool cleaner" is called a Kreepy Krauly.
An "autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner" is called a Roomba.
A "digital video recorder" is called a TiVo.
To use a "search engine" is to Google.

A "portable cassette player" is called a WalkMan.
A "portable CD player" is called a DiscMan.
A "glass cleaner" is called Windex.
An "instant camera" is called a Polaroid. (but have they ever had any competition?)

doubleKO said:

Thanks Boost! I thought of Scotch Tape and forgot it again, although here it's sticky tape.

FOTC - Sellotape

FOTC - Tape

I presume it was changed for American audiences.

On another forum someone tried to start a meme where the phrase "to Google" would be replaced with "to have sex with."

I lol'd, but it failed to catch on.