Great Google-y Moogly
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary has added “to google” as a verb in its latest edition, joining the Oxford English Dictionary’s online edition as recognizing that the name of the search engine has become a word in its own right. The article says that the first use of the verb was in a newspaper article five years ago, which is pretty young for a new word to be making it into the dictionary.
Unsurprisingly, the article also explores the dilemma that occurs when a brand name becomes so ubiquitous that it becomes an ordinary word: the company can lose trademark protection. The Merriam-Webster mentions that the term is derived from a trademark, and defines the word to specifically refer to used of the Google engine as opposed to a generic search. Given that Yahoo turned its own engine brand into a verb with the “Do You Yahoo!?” campaign, I think it’s hard to argue with the dictionary folks on this one.
About Dave Thomer
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Studied philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, where I made many great friends and met my wonderful wife. We moved back to Philadelphia, where I studied philosophy some more and became a teacher. Online and off, I'm looking for ways that we can be better citizens and build stronger communities.
Wednesday, July 12th 2006 at 5:51 pm |
Maybe next’s yeaars edition will include :”to Vonage” which means “to create a massively annoying campaign that doesn’t increase sales but still manages to havea catchy theme song.”