Gillette

/dʒɪˈlɛt/ noun

Definition

A major brand of razors and shaving products, or referring to products made by this company. Named after its founder King Camp Gillette.

Etymology

Named after King Camp Gillette (1855-1932), American businessman who invented the safety razor with disposable blades in 1901. His surname derives from French 'Gillot', a diminutive of 'Gilles' (Giles).

Kelly Says

Gillette revolutionized shaving by creating the 'razor and blades' business model - selling the handle cheaply and making profits on replacement blades. This strategy became a template for countless other industries, from printers and ink to gaming consoles and software.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Gillette (the razor brand) ran a 2019 'We Believe' campaign directly addressing toxic masculinity. Prior to this, men's grooming was heavily gendered toward aggression/dominance in advertising. The brand name now carries association with both historical male-coded shaving culture and modern masculinity debates.

Inclusive Usage

When referencing razors/grooming, use 'safety razor' or brand-neutral terms to avoid loaded cultural associations. If discussing the campaign, name the specific year/context.

Inclusive Alternatives

["safety razor","razor brand","shaving tool"]

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