U.S. Synonymous Trademarks

We give you the generic term. You give us the brand name that means the same thing.

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Last updated: March 16, 2021

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First submitted	September 22, 2010
Times taken	65,093
Average score	62.5%
Rating	4.06

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Generic Term	Trademark
Artificial turf	AstroTurf
Adhesive bandage	Band-Aid
Bleach	Clorox
Lip balm	ChapStick
Flying disc	Frisbee
Web search	Google
4-wheel drive vehicle	Jeep
Gelatin dessert	Jell-O
Stadium-size television	JumboTron
Facial tissue	Kleenex
Elevator music	Muzak
Sticky notes	Post-Its

Generic Term	Trademark
Cotton swabs	Q-Tips
Vacuum-sealed beverage holder	Thermos
Inline skates	Rollerblades
Clear tape	Scotch Tape
Swim briefs	Speedo
Stun gun	Taser
Acetaminophen	Tylenol
Petroleum jelly	Vaseline
Vacuum cleaner	Hoover
Recreational vehicle	Winnebago
Photocopier	Xerox
Portable tape player	Walkman

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102 Recent Comments

Level 23

Sep 18, 2014

Ibuprofen should also work for acetaminophen

Level 38

Jun 16, 2016

Paracetamol you mean; which is synonymous with acetaminophen. Therefore "Panadol" being the brand name should be accepted. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug, with a different chemical composition.

Level 67

Apr 21, 2021

The common brand name for ibuprofen in the US is Advil.

Level 73

Apr 22, 2021

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are completely different substances.

Level 81

Nov 27, 2015

Another good one would be "White Out," though I discovered working for a British company the UK equivalent is Tippix.

Level 74

Jan 24, 2019

Here it's known as Liquid Paper, although I'd imagine it's not a product often seen in modern offices

Level 68

Apr 21, 2021

Oh, you mean Twink

Level 74

Aug 23, 2023

Tipp-Ex. I have one right in front of me

Level 71

Nov 27, 2015

Biro would be a good one.

Level 70

Nov 27, 2015

Lipsyl should be accepted for the lip balm as that's what it is in the UK

Level 55

Nov 27, 2015

Never heard of that, and if I was to ask you for a lip balm, I'd ask for a chapstick, and I didn't even know it was a brand name. That, pretty much, is the point of the quiz.

Level 83

Jun 8, 2016

It's lypsyl, but I agree it should be accepted. I haven't heard it in a while but I'm sure at one point the term was really common.

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

Labello is the generic name here for it, coming from a brandname. I never knew chapstick was a brand, allways thought it was the english name for it, same with rollerblades.

Level 35

Nov 27, 2015

As a Brit, seriously?! Accept Jelly, Sellotape, Plaster, cotton buds... And a recreational vehicle is a winnebago? wtf

+13

Level 71

Nov 27, 2015

Are those brand names? Because if not, you're completely missing the point of this quiz.

Level 55

Nov 27, 2015

As a Brit it becomes about how much American culture you've absorbed through decades of sitcoms. I found it relatively easy. Ironically the one I missed, the bleach, is a product I've actually bought, twenty years ago in Kuwait. Couldn't make it come to mind. I even knew the headache tablet because of a Gary Larson cartoon, but elsewhere I've suggested they accept aspirin, because that too is a brand name. (As is heroin!)

Level 82

Nov 27, 2015

What Americans know as Scotch Tape we "Brits" call Sellotape. but back in the 1970's, when the BBC had very strict rules regarding brand names, the presenters of Blue Peter faithfully referred to it as Sticky Back Plastic...

Yes, utterly daft... :)

Level 65

Nov 27, 2015

Erm, no. Sticky back plastic is not sellotape - it's a sort of adhesive vinyl, usually coloured or patterned, used to cover things quickly. Like plastic wallpaper :)

(Anybody who has ever watched Blue Peter should know this...)

Level 83

Jun 8, 2016

If you had watched Blue Peter you would know that they do in fact *erroneously* refer to Sellotape as sticky-backed plastic. It annoyed the hell out of me.

Level 72

Aug 23, 2023

FYI in the U.S. we call this contact paper, and indeed Con-Tact® is a trademark referred to generically, though I don't know whether it was named after the generic name or the other way around.

Level 74

Nov 27, 2015

I thought Winnebago had pretty much been replaced by RV. And Jeep has became a wide-selling consumer brand of SUV. Nobody in my area calls any other brand a Jeep. There are 4 x 4's, SUVs, ATVs etc. but no one calls their 4WD Dodge Ram, Hummer, or F-150 a Jeep. It's generic only when referring to military vehicles, at least in my area of the mid-south US.

Level 55

Nov 27, 2015

Possibly the quiz is for people who've been alive for more than a decade or two. It may have become more correct or fashionable lately to refer to 4x4s by those other terms, but for many decades after WW2 they were all Jeeps, whether or not they were built by Willys. Same goes for the RV. The point of the quiz is to please those people who know they're called RVs nowadays, but who remember back a while when, no matter who built them, they would be called Winnebagoes. In the UK the Robin Williams movie "RV" had to be given the subtitle "Runaway Vacation" because we don't know what RVs are!

Level 74

Nov 27, 2015

I suspect I'm of the same generation as you. I was screaming in front of the TV when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan. I knew the answers, I'm just saying that a couple of these are no longer used, at least in my neck of the woods. And I don't think we ever used Hoover as a verb. We always vacuumed. Still a fun quiz, though.

Level 72

Aug 23, 2023

Almost eight years later and ander217 is even more right. I don't think Jeep or Winnebago are commonly used generically anymore, and haven't been for some time.

Level 55

Nov 27, 2015

We don't really have the acetominaphen one in the UK. I think to be fair to other people around the world you should accept "aspirin" because that is also a brand name for more or less the same product. May I also suggest changing the clue "Recreational Vehicle" to "motor home", which is recognizable on both sides of the Atlantic.

Level 38

Jun 16, 2016

No, in the UK you call it Paracetamol, just like us Aussies. Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, different again.

Level 47

Nov 27, 2015

As you said, some of them only apply in certain countries. How about creating some quizzes as a series, such as international trademarks, American, British, Canadian, Australian, etc.?

Level 73

Nov 27, 2015

All these years I had no idea there was a vacuum hiding in my thermos.

Level 85

Nov 29, 2015

Yeah, I'm stumped on that one, too.

Level 83

Sep 25, 2017

I seem to remember doing an entire dull Physics lesson about the mechanics of a Thermos flask. That's how I knew.

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

There is a black hole in there..

Level 73

Apr 22, 2021

I guess technically my thermos contains an infinite hoover.

Level 56

Nov 28, 2015

I haven't heard of most of these. But more importantly, no Pampers? It was the first thing that came to my mind when reading the title.

Level 85

Nov 29, 2015

How exactly is a Thermos a vacuum-sealed beverage holder? Do people suck all of the air out and then put the cap on really fast?

Level 74

Jun 7, 2016

my thoughts exactly. The vacuum sealed part really threw me off

Level 68

Dec 13, 2016

The layer between the inner bottle and the outer shell is where the vacuum is. Vacuum is a better insulator than any other common insulation.

Level 74

Mar 3, 2020

that makes sense, thank you

Level 92

Apr 21, 2021

Yes, it's not vacuum-sealed, it's vacuum insulated.

Level 3

Nov 29, 2015

I really like this quiz, some were hard but that is what makes it fun, nice job!

Level 35

Dec 4, 2015

OOH NICE

Level 43

Feb 23, 2016

Good quiz :) Like the idea

Level 75

Apr 22, 2016

Please add Lypsyl for lip balm?

Level 82

Jun 15, 2016

I can't believe I missed Speedo. I had to wear one of those for years as a kid on the swim team.

Level 48

Aug 19, 2017

Anyone outside the US is doomed to 50% :(

Level 77

Feb 4, 2018

Coming from Germany, this is difficult. I know lip balm as "Labello" and tissues as "Tempo" for example

Level 61

Feb 22, 2018

Literally who says half of this stuff

Level 82

Mar 12, 2018

Almost everyone where I'm from. It might just be a regional thing, but in the NorthEast US, almost all of these are everyday terms. Yesterday I went to the story to get Q-tips, Kleenex, and Clorox. Then I asked my daughter if she packed her Thermos today. No joke.

Level 85

Aug 24, 2023

I don't know that I've ever heard anyone say "Xerox". I've been asked to photocopy stuff plenty of times. I also don't think I've heard "Clorox" when they meant bleach. Might be a Canadian thing.

Level 41

Mar 1, 2018

I never realized that Thermos was a brand. I thought the actual name for the thing was a thermos.

Level 50

Jan 8, 2019

Great idea but I only got 2. And you know the one. This is only for USA and I am in Europe.

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

Im from europe and got 16/24. I guess it depends how easily you absorb "knowledge" and the amount of exposure to it by tv, books, internet. But yes it is a 99% american quiz. But in my opinion still doable (enough words you atleast COULD have heard of outside of the us, either because of more widespread use, or it is use SO much that you could hardly miss it if you have ever seen /read american stuff) As opposed to some questioms in some quiz where there really is no way of knowing

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

I only see the caveat now haha,, that's cute. Well unless it is said with malice/contempt etc

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

Curious which two though,, since there are a few internationals on there. Google, frisbee, walkman, postit. And kleenex and vaseline are brands in a lot of countries. I believe thats all of them, ow yea, jeep. The others I merely got from exposure. (Assimilate, resistance is futile, apparently, massbrainwashing lol)

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

Got 16/24 rollerblades crossed my mind but was certain it wasnt a brand. Didnt think thermos was a brand either, allways thought it was a lazy way for americans to say thermoscan lol (as it is know here). Band-aid i, do know, but could only come up with hansaplast and leukoplast. Never heard of winebago in my life, and not sure about tylenol (pretty sure I havent) and astro turf, (might have, but must ve piled it in the same category as surf and turf, a weird saying nothing to do with what we call turf, what you call peat)

Level 72

Jan 8, 2019

Ow and never heardheard of clorox (but we have chlorix here but never use it as a generic name, we use the term chloor though, but that is the same word as chlorine is for you). And jumbotron, sounds like magnetron (microwave) but a big one haha

Level 57

Aug 31, 2019

As a brit, giving the names for what i call everything:

artificial turf - astro turf

adhesive bandage - plaster

bleach - bleach

lip balm - lip balm

flying disc - frisbee

web search - google

4-wheel drive - 4x4 (4 by 4 verbally)

gelatin dessert - jelly

stadium sized tv - big screen?

facial tissues - tissues

elevator music - no word

sticky notes - post-its

cotton swabs - cotton buds

vacuum-sealed beverage holder - flask

inline skates - rollerblades

clear tape - sellotape

swim briefs - speedo/trunks

stun gun - taser

acetaminophen - paracetemol (had to google that)

petroleum jelly - vaseline

vacuum cleaner - hoover/vacuum cleaner

recreational vehicle - i have no idea what this is

photocopier - photocopier

portable tape player - no word for this.

i got 9/24.

Level 85

Mar 3, 2020

Also a Brit and muzak, thermos and walkman are (or were) all used here. A recreational vehicle is a motorhome, like a bigger version of a campervan. Knew that one from the movie Space Balls! Got 22. Heard of Tylenol and Clorox but didn't know what they were exactly.

Level 81

Apr 22, 2021

In the UK I think the word for an RV (recreational vehicle) or Winnebago is a caravan. Nobody in the US would say caravan. The term "motorhome" applies both places, though is more common in the UK. In the US we might also say "mobile home."

Level 74

Apr 23, 2021

In Australia, and I think the UK, "caravan" refers only to what Americans call a Trailer. An RV/Winnebago is usually a "motorhome"

Level 74

Aug 23, 2023

In the UK a caravan is actually a liveable home that is generally towed to its destination by a car. An RV is generally called a motorhome here

Level 82

Dec 18, 2023

I would agree largely with joshuil above.

We do say Walkman (well, we used to when they were used) and muzak though.

Clorox, Tylenol, JumboTron are new to me.

Winnebago, Scotch tape, Q-Tips, Jell-O, Band-Aid, Kleenex, are just not used, although I knew them from watching TV.

Another good quiz :)

Level 82

Dec 18, 2023

Who doesn't know this? :D

"That's right. I'm Tucker McElroy, lead singer, driver of the Winnebago"

Level 79

Mar 3, 2020

13/24. I guess it is good for someone from UK

Level 78

Aug 23, 2020

The Thermos clue is oddly worded. Possibly using the description "insulated" in lieu of vacuum-sealed might bring the percentage up quite a bit.

Level 75

Apr 21, 2021

I hear Dyson more than Hoover

Level 73

Apr 21, 2021

Did anybody notice they're in alphabetical order except for Clorox/ChapStick, Thermos, Hoover, and Xerox/Walkman?

Level 84

Apr 21, 2021

Indeed. I would attribute my missing of the vacuum brand to the almost-alphabetical list.

Level 68

Apr 21, 2021

I would argue that a (spoiler ahead) thermos is more of a vacuum-insulated beverage holder than a vacuum-sealed one.

Level 68

Aug 30, 2023

Woah, I don't know why I knew about this.

Level 62

Apr 21, 2021

I'm American and I haven't heard half of these, and I only use like 4 of them.

Level 76

Apr 21, 2021

Tried napalm for petroleum jelly.

Level 64

Apr 21, 2021

As a Canadian, the only one I had never heard of was Muzak. I would say that Winnebago and Clorox are less popular here, we would more likely say RV and Javex.

Level 64

Apr 21, 2021

We also use "chesterfield" for sofa here though, so were weird.

Level 44

Apr 21, 2021

I disagree as a Canadian. Winnebago was very common use in Canada back in the day. Sure, not anymore. I'd say RV was an American expression and took awhile to catch on. Motorhome was more common.

Level 57

Apr 21, 2021

Who calls just any 4 wheel drive vehicle a Jeep though?

Level 74

Aug 23, 2023

I think we probably did before SUVs became so widespread. I don't think anyone has used a walkman for a decade or so surely

Level 72

Aug 23, 2023

Maybe in the '50s, '60s or possibly '70s? Both off-roading and what we now call SUVs have exploded so much in popularity people no longer think of them all as "Jeeps". Even the most Jeepy non-Jeep you can buy, a Hummer H2, would be referred to as a kind of Jeep by almost no one, at least in the U.S.

Level 67

Apr 21, 2021

My area would just say bleach, copy machine, RV, vacuum, and elevator music. Only missed RV though.

Level 44

Apr 21, 2021

jacuzzi as a hot tub is always top of my list. Champaign as a sparkling wine is world wide.

Level 65

Apr 21, 2021

Great quiz! Tupperware is another good one, if you feel like making a version 2.

Level 67

Apr 21, 2021

Clorox feels like a reach, and I've never heard anyone call a vacuum a "Hoover." Even people who own Hoover vacuums just call them "vacuums." The others all check out.

Level 72

Aug 23, 2023

Hoover as a generic is specific to Britain.

I've heard Clorox used generically but it seems like it's on the wane, possibly because bleach as a whole is less popular (for both clothing and cleaning)?

Level 64

Apr 21, 2021

I had no idea "Rollerblades" was a brand name.

Level 68

Apr 22, 2021

Thanks to the Simpsons for a lot of these (and my knowledge of American culture/history/anything in general)

Level 79

Apr 22, 2021

If you do a sequel, does the US use X-acto knives? How about Sharpies?

Level 72

Aug 23, 2023

It does but I don't think they're used generically. Like I don't think most people would call a magic marker a sharpie.

Level 68

Apr 22, 2021

Great quiz, thanks. Always great to learn about other countries.

Level 73

Apr 22, 2021

One suggestion: make the "recreational vehicle" more specific (like recreational camper, or recreation motor vehicle) -- or else accept ski-doo and sea-doo, since those are both correct and also fit the parameters of the quiz.

Level 77

Apr 24, 2021

Mason jars could be used in the sequel

Level 39

Apr 25, 2021

Bruh, I missed the flying disc one and put UFO instead of frisbee. -_-

Level 62

Apr 26, 2021

You could add Dumpster to this list or a future iteration of it. It surprised me to find out that Dumpster is a brand name for "moveable waste container"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumpster

Level 55

May 21, 2023

Advil should work for acetaminophen

Level ∞

Jul 18, 2023

Advil is ibuprofen.

Level 65

Aug 23, 2023

Hey QM, thanks for stealing my idea!

Genericized Brand Names

Level 75

Aug 23, 2023

A quick check shows that this quiz was created 7 years before yours.

Level 78

Aug 23, 2023

I also find it funny to be complaining about theft of intellectual property regarding quizzes about genericized trademarks.

Level 82

Aug 23, 2023

Walkman is from Sony, so it's not US; it's Japanese.

Level 70

Aug 23, 2023

For some reason I tried Kleenex with a C and Q-Tip as Cue

Level 52

Aug 23, 2023

Can there be blistex for the lip balm one please. I don't know if that brand is common anywhere else. I am from Canada.

Level 85

Aug 24, 2023

In my day, it was Lypsyl in Canada. Now I think most people say Chapstick.

Level 80

Aug 24, 2023

Maybe it's regional. I have never referred to a vacuum cleaner as a Hoover--just a vacuum. And I almost always use RV, not Winnebago. I'm guilty of most of the rest.

Level 70

Nov 13, 2024

Not sure that Hoover is really used in the U.S. I have only ever heard British people use it as a verb. Personal bummer that Escalator isn't there for moving staircase. Great quiz.

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