How many people know what Kleenex is? I would wager the majority of us have the word confused with a tissue. I admit that I too once believed the word Kleenex meant a tissue. In reality Kleenex is a brand name. The manufacturer just so happens to make tissues.
Somewhere along the road, people started calling them by the maker instead of the product. It has been going on for years without anyone giving it a second thought.
I typically purchase Kleenex brand tissues, but not always. So when someone asks me if I have a Kleenex, I really have to think and remember which box I pulled the tissues from to accurately answer their question. For some reason my friends and family stopped asking if I had any.
Depending on how my nose is feeling that day, I might want to use another brand. Next time I'm caught out of my house without tissues, I'm going to ask someone if they have a 'Great Value' (that's Walmart's brand). Somehow I don't think I'm going to like the responses.
Have a happy flu and cold season and don't forget your Kleenex!