Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

The company that makes Tasers has said that Taser is a brand name and that the correct word for being hit with one is "tased." I'm sure that the Taser company wants to avoid bad press from people being injured or hit with their item in ways that provide bad PR.

That being said, the English language creates generic trademarks all the time (Band-Aid, Asprin, Zipper, Velcro, Google, Xerox). If a generic trademark is going to be created, the Taser company lawyers probably can't do much to stop it.

I think the key here would be comprehension. There is no clear winner here. A reference to being "tased" or being "tasered" would generally give the same impression to most people and you would be understood with either one.

My personal preference would be for "tasered." I think "Taser" will become a genericized trademark to refer to all electrical powered stun guns and "tasered" will be the word that wins out. But that is just my opinion. I'm sure there are people on here who would disagree with me.