So we can no longer "Xerox" a document. And even more tragically, we can no longer Xerox our bums on the photocopier! Nor can we pretend to be busy at work by spending time "Xeroxing" things.
No, according to the Good Corp Xerox, we can only use the word as an adjective to describe a noun as in "Xerox machine" or "Xerox photocopier."
The Inquirer quotes Xerox on Xeroxing:
Please be advised that XEROX is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation
and is properly used only as an adjective to identify our high quality products
and services. In the headline quoted above, the trademark is used improperly as
a verb. Such use constitutes a misuse of our trademark and tends to dilute its
distinctiveness. As an alternative, we suggest generic terms be used -- such as
"copying", "photocopying" or "duplicating".
Well here's what this typist has to say to Xerox:
I Xerox
You Xerox
He/she Xeroxes
We are Xeroxing
You have Xeroxed
They (pl) used to Xerox (and still do)
So go ahead, Xerox, sue me.
