Thread: Randomness

Originally Posted by Helen & John

It's a Q-Tip to our American English speakers!!!

Ah, thanks! Did not find that with a quickie search actually.

Originally Posted by Jolly

Is that what they call it....i thought a Q-Tip was some kind of gynecology thing. Learn something new everyday.

"Cotton swab" is our generic term, but most people call them Q-Tips after the dominant brand (as with Xeroxing for photocopying or Kleenex for a tissue).

The most common usage for ear bud these days is definitely to denote small earphones. So how do you English English speakers refer to small, in-ear earphones then?