The term "Google" is now in the dictionary

[jdubo79]

Merriam-Webster said Thurs- day that its next hardbound dictionary will include ``google'' as a transitive verb, meaning ``to use the Google search engine to obtain information . . . on the World Wide Web.''

[mercurynews.com...]

[Kufu]

Google Goes From Web to Webster's - www.latimes.com [latimes.com]

[Woz]

Old news - [webmasterworld.com...]

Onya
Woz

[Web_speed]

One of Google's worst fears may have been realised. The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary includes the word "google" which means to use the well-known search engine to look for information on the web.

The entry means that in addition to being a proper noun, the word "google" - without capitalisation of the "g" - is now a common transitive verb.

In the latest publicly available filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission made available earlier this week, Google identified the key risks it faced in seeking to maintain its dominance in the search market and preserving its revenue growth rate.

[theage.com.au...]

[tedster]

The idea that they might lose their brand name rights must be scary -- it is the quickest jump from brand name to a generic word I can remember. Maybe "velcro" was close but they're still working to preserve that one.

[SuddenlySara]

Just some revamp hype they need to do because part of their search engine is broken right now....

[texasville]

Yes..and if they don't fix their search engine, then next year this will also appear:
Main Entry: 1sna·gu
Pronunciation: sna-'gü, 'sna-"gü
Function: noun
Etymology: situation normal all googled up (fouled up)
: a situation marked by errors or confusion : MUDDLE; also : an error causing such a situation <an indexing snagu>

[jdubo79]

The idea that they may lose their trademark is scary, but the definition of Google in the dictionary is

Definition: to search for information about a specific person through the Google search engine.

Google now essentially has an ad in the dictionary, how many companies can say that? I'm not sure this is all bad for Google, I think they may just be making a big deal about it for the extra PR they will receive, and by PR I mean public relations.