Thanks to Alex, Paul, Dominic, and Terry for the posts which were interesting, but seemed to miss the point: I'm aware of ListServ and its history, but am interested in when and how the brand name was appropriated as a common noun. (Think Levi's, Band-Aid, Kleenex, Kodak, Coke, and Tivo. There's a word for this I learned in 7th grade, but can't remember - and neither can my 7th grade teacher, whom I re-ask every few years just in case. Whatever it is, it's an important word. Maybe I should sniglet a new one.) Amelia's account is interesting - but I'm doubting that infolibs were the first to use "listserv" in the generic; I see "listservs" and "list serves" just as often as "listserves", so am not sure which appropriation came first; and I'm still interested in pinpointing blame on a more particular time and person. -eg
-----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l- bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Amelia Kassel Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:59 AM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] "listserve"
I don't know the origin but I'll add my experience. At one time (perhaps still?) Listserv was a trademark. To avoid using a trademark that referred to a specific product, information professionals and librarians began using the term listserve with an e to generically refer to electronic discussion groups of the "mailing" list (Listserv actual product name) variety.
Amelia, MarketingBase