re: Difference Between American And British English? page 8

blackst0neAmerican EnglishBritish EnglishBlueSadAdministrationGovernmentAssignmentHomeworkMoviesCinemaQuizTest, examStreetcarTramVacuum cleanerHooverIs this list correct?

Hoover is a brand name. It is one of the many manufacturers of vacuum cleaners. There are people in the UK who misuse it to mean vacuum cleaners in general, regardless of brand. Not everyone does so. Some people say Hoover and some say vacuum cleaner.

misuse seems a tad harsh to me.
Would you also object to eg kleenex,eg xerox?

CliveWould you also object to eg kleenex,eg xerox?

Yes, if they are used to refer to such products in general, but not if they were used to refer to products made by those manufacturers.

I have hoovered the carpet with my Hoover, Electrolux, and Dtson vacuum cleaners for many years. That's not misuse. that's English.

fivejedjonI have hoovered the carpet with my Hoover, Electrolux, and Dtson vacuum cleaners for many years. That's not misuse. that's English.

Not for everyone. Some people talk about Hoovering and some say vacuuming.

I doubt if many of us who hoover use an initial capital when we write about it.

fivejedjonI doubt if many of us who hoover use an initial capital when we write about it.

Why not? It's a brand name.

But we don't use it as such.