Freon

/ˈfriːɒn/ noun

Definition

A trademarked brand name for a type of refrigerant gas, particularly chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds, now largely phased out due to ozone damage.

Etymology

A proprietary name created by DuPont for their chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants in the 1930s; the origin of the name itself is unclear but was likely a marketing creation.

Kelly Says

Freon is a brand name that became so popular it turned into a generic term—people still say 'Freon' for refrigerants even though most Freon is now banned because it destroys the ozone layer, making it a cautionary tale of unintended consequences.

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