The Oxford English Dictionary, considered by many THE most authoritative English language dictionary has added Google (as a verb) as a "draft entry."
If you've never used the online version of the OED (available from many libraries for free) it's amazing.
We have the draft definitions posted on ResourceShelf. We also point out that this is NOT the first time Google (as a verb) has been an entry in the OED, list other new terms (Energizer bunny is one) and include direct links to the complete lists of new and modified entries. http://www.resourceshelf.com/2006/06/29/dictionaries-the-june-issue-of-the-oxford-english-dictionary-newsletter-is-now-online-google-as-a-verb-now-in-oxford-english-dictionary/ |
From the dictionary:
<<intr. To use the Google search engine to find information on the Internet. trans. To search for information about (a person or thing) using the Google search engine.>>
I think Google can be lucky that the entry says "... using the Google searche engine." As soon as popular definitions define "to google" as possibly meaning *any* search engine, Google's trademark might become generic, and then everyone can use the term freely under US copyright law (AFAIK). |
But.. what I find funny is that the words "blog", "Podcast" etc etc made the word of the year for 2004 and 2005 – yet "to Google" has never made it to such a distinction... however it finds its way into OED!!
..ironical or what ?? |