Zimmer

/ˈzɪmər/ noun

Definition

A brand name for a type of walking frame or mobility aid, commonly used in British English to refer to any such device.

Etymology

From German 'Zimmer' meaning room or chamber, originally a surname. The Zimmer company was founded in 1927 and became so associated with walking frames that the brand name became genericized in British usage.

Kelly Says

This represents a fascinating case of 'genericide' where a brand name becomes the common term for an entire product category, like 'kleenex' or 'xerox.' The irony is that 'zimmer' means 'room' in German, yet the device is designed to help people move between rooms.

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