1

Band-Aid

While Band-Aid is still a generic name —other brands use the terms "adhesive bandage" or "plaster" in their products— it is undoubtedly the most popular brand and word used for this kind of bandage. Invented in 1920 by a Johnson & Johnson employee whose wife often injured herself while cooking, the Band-Aid became popular during the Great Depression , as it was a quick and cheap alternative to going to the hospital for minor injuries.

2

Dumpster

Most folks wouldn't know that Dumpster is a brand, but this product is officially called "waste container". The term dumpster was first used in 1936 as part of the mechanic Dempster-Dumpster system, which allowed for standardized containers to be emptied into garbage trucks. Dumpster was a portmanteau of Dempster (the company's name) and the word "dump" , and the system became so successful that dumpster became synonymous with any garbage container.

3

Tupperware

This case is the opposite of the "dumpster": Tupperware has become a generic name for storage containers, but everyone knows that Tupperware-branded tupperwares are the best tupperwares . Founded in 1942 by Earl Tupper, the brand grew through a sales plan that allowed people —usually women— to earn an income without a salaried, in-office job. Through home gatherings known as "Tupperware parties", these women were able to show the products, network, and make sales among their neighbors and acquaintances, a format that contributed greatly to the popularity of Tupperware products.

4

Cellophane

The chances of hearing "cellulose film" instead of "cellophane" are low, but never zero. While in the UK and other countries, Cellophane is still a trademarked name, in the U.S. the term is not only generic, but is also used for products that are not made from cellulose film , such as plastic wrap or kitchen film.

5

Dry Ice

Nowadays, "dry ice" is a common name for solid carbon dioxide, a form of ice that melts at a slower pace and without leaving a puddle. But did you know that "dry ice" was originally a brand name? Developed in the late 19th century by French inventor Adrien-Jean-Pierre Thilorier, it was first commercialized in the U.S. in 1924. The name "Dry Ice" for this product was trademarked by the DryIce Corporation of America , and quickly became the generic name.

6

Escalator

You might have heard of the Otis Elevator Company, founded by the inventor of the modern elevator, Elisha Otis, but did you know that this company trademarked the word "Escalator"?. Although they were not the inventors of the moving staircase, they were the first to develop the modern flat-step commercial escalator that we use today , a machine so common that its name became generic, leading to the cancellation of the trademark.

7

Ping-Pong

If you are an avid Summer Olympics watcher, you might have noticed that "Ping-Pong" is not officially used for the sport usually known by that name. That is because the sport is officially called "table tennis". The name Ping-Pong was initially used as a brand in the UK, and later trademarked in America by the Parker Brothers. Although it is the most widely known name of the sport, the International Table Tennis Federation uses the name "table tennis" in order to avoid trademark conflicts.

8

Realtor

Despite what many would think, "realtor" is a trademarked name and not the official name of a profession. Owned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the generic term for the profession is "real estate agent" or "real estate broker". The only real estate agents that can legally use the name "realtor" are active members of NAR.

9

Trampoline

Trampoline is no longer a trademarked name, but it was in its origins. Derived from the Spanish trampolín ("diving board"), it was created and trademarked by the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company in 1930, and the technical name for the product was "rebound tumbler" . Trampoline is now accepted as a generic name for a variety of bouncing apparatuses.

10

Windbreaker

We now understand that a windbreaker is any lightweight, wind-resistant jacket, but it originally referred to gabardine jackets by the John Rissman Company of Chicago . The name was developed and trademarked in the 1940s for this specific type of jacket, but down the line it not only became generic for waterproof jackets, but also synonymous with a jacket made of thin synthetic fabric like nylon or polyester.

1

The Statue of Liberty’s color

Image: Pierre Blaché

We start our list with a moderately well-known fact: the Statue of Liberty’s beautiful emerald color is not original. Technically, it’s a sign of damage. While the statue's infrastructure is made of iron, its exterior is copper, which has turned green over time due to oxidation .

Fortunately, that same green coating now protects the statue from further damage and deterioration.

2

Grand Central Terminal’s hidden club

Image: David Vives

A busy train station may not seem like the ideal place for a social club, but that’s exactly the case with the Explorers Club. Operating for decades, this exclusive venue primarily serves locals, featuring a full gym, an indoor hard court, and even a smaller secondary court .

3

Gateway Arch’s time capsule

Image: Chris Hardy

This beloved St. Louis landmark holds a secret at its peak: a time capsule was placed inside the arch in 1965 , containing 762,000 signatures—many from students who attended St. Louis schools at the time.

The capsule is permanently welded inside the arch and will remain sealed for as long as the structure stands.

4

New York's High Court Building’s ball court

Image: Markus Spiske

New Yorkers seem to have a penchant for sports courts hidden on the top floors of iconic buildings—this one being the second on our list. The New York High Court Building is primarily a place for legal proceedings and bureaucratic work, but on its fifth floor, visitors will find a basketball court known as the "Highest Court in the Land."

5

The White House’s dentist

Image: Benyamin Bohlouli

It’s easy to imagine hallways and rooms filled with endless state secrets in the White House basement. But what most people won’t guess is that you can also find a dentist’s office, a carpenter’s shop, and even a bowling alley down there.

6

Niagara Falls is a huge faucet

Image: Tosab Photography

As strange as it sounds, this statement is true in a sense. The complex system of pumps and gates that administer the water of the Falls can be controlled by a central command.

In fact, part of Niagara Falls is even scheduled to be "turned off" in the coming years to replace some obsolete structures—just like a faucet.

7

Washington Monument’s Civil War graffiti

Image: Sonder Quest

Graffiti has been around all over the world, for a couple of centuries now. The Washington Monument was still under construction when the Civil War broke out, and Union soldiers stationed there carved their names and drew pictures onto the monument . These markings can still be seen today at its base.

8

Mount Rushmore’s hidden room

Image: Jéan Béller

One of America’s most famous landmarks hides a secret room known as the Hall of Records , which is filled with documents intended to preserve the nation’s history for future generations. This hidden chamber is accessed through a concealed door behind Abraham Lincoln’s ear.

9

Lincoln Memorial’s secret carvings

Image: Andy Feliciotti

Speaking of Lincoln, you’ll need a flashlight to spot this one—but it’s there. On the north wall stone of the Lincoln Memorial, the letters "EBL" can be seen carved . These initials stand for Evelyn Beatrice Longman, the artist who sculpted the memorial’s ornamental border.

10

Empire State Building’s secret floor

Image: Kit Suman

As it turns out, the Empire State Building has one more floor than the famous 102. This extra floor was originally constructed for building maintenance but now serves as an exclusive hotspot for celebrities, complete with an ultra-thin, knee-high railing separating observers from the sky surrounding them.

11

Brooklyn Bridge’s wine cellars

Image: Partha Narasimhan

Wine cellars are cold and dark places—just like the basements at the Brooklyn Bridge’s bases. This connection, now quite obvious, was made by the bridge’s engineer, Washington Roebling, who incorporated two full wine cellars into the bridge’s bases on each side and then rented the space to local businesses who needed the extra storage.

12

Disneyland’s secret members-only club

Image: Travis Gergen

If a trip to Disneyland isn’t enough of a Disney experience for you, there’s an exclusive club on the premises called Club 33 . This exclusive joint boasts an invite-only guest list, where members must pay anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 to join, with annual membership dues ranging from $12,500 to $30,000. Do you think it’s worth it?

1

"Yes, Hell is a Place on Earth"

Image: Peter Leong

People driving from Lansing to Ann Arbor can take a slight detour and "go through Hell." And Hell lives up to its name, playfully. Founded in Michigan in the 1830s (legend has it that one of the settlers said, "Call it Hell, for all I care!"), this tourist hotspot leans into the joke.

You can "get married in Hell," mail postcards from the Hell Post Office , or grab a souvenir from the Hell Hole Diner. The town even freezes over in winter—because, of course, Hell can freeze over.

2

"Because!"

Image: Danika Perkinson

Why’s name comes from a nearby Y-shaped intersection , but its motto takes full advantage of the pun.

Originally called "Y," this Arizona town had to add an "H" to comply with the state’s three-letter minimum for place names. Today, Why (population: around 160) is a desert oddity whose motto says it all: Because. That’s the only explanation it’s willing to give.

3

"The Town Too Tough to Die"

Image: Andreas Rasmussen

That’s the nickname of Tombstone, Arizona. This Wild West legend earned its motto after surviving fires, shootouts, and near abandonment. Founded in 1879 as a silver boomtown, Tombstone soon became infamous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

When the mines dried up, the town rebranded itself as a living museum of cowboy lore . Today, actors reenact gunfights daily, and the Bird Cage Theatre—once called "the wickedest nightspot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast"—still stands.

4

"The Town That Was"

Image: Colin Lloyd

Few mottos are as haunting as that of Centralia, Pennsylvania. In 1962, a coal mine fire ignited beneath the town and has burned ever since, turning streets into smoke-filled cracks and forcing nearly everyone to leave.

Today, fewer than ten residents remain in this near-ghost town , where graffiti-covered Route 61—the "Graffiti Highway"—attracts urban explorers. It’s said that the underground fire could continue burning for another 250 years.

5

"The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: ALEKSEY KUPRIKOV

Don’t be fooled by the name of Boring, Oregon—its motto is a cheeky nod to its reputation, but the town was actually named after 19th-century settler William Boring .

Every year, the town hosts the "Boring Fest" and sells "Boring, OR" merch. Ironically, the surroundings of Boring are anything but dull: you’ll find stunning trails and ski resorts to explore near Mt. Hood!

6

"No Fear Here"

Image: Jon Tyson

Coward, South Carolina, would like everyone to know they’re no scaredy-cats. Named after a railroad official , the town has embraced its ironic potential with a motto that flips the script.

Located along the "Old Stage Coach Road," Coward is now a quiet pit stop with a sense of humor. No cowards here—just a town that knows how to laugh at itself.

7

"A Nice Place to Live"

Image: Sterling Lanier

In the heart of Amish Country, Intercourse , Pennsylvania, gets its eyebrow-raising name from an old term for " crossroads ." The town leans into the jokes (yes, they sell T-shirts) but keeps it wholesome with a motto that highlights its quiet charm.

Visitors come for the buggy rides, homemade jam, and, of course, the chance to say they’ve been to Intercourse.

8

"Not What You Expected"

Image: Jason Leung

A fitting motto for Surprise, Nebraska. Founded in the 1880s, the town’s origin story has been lost to time , and with a population of around 40, it’s a surprise it’s still on the map at all. That’s exactly what the motto jokes about.

9

"The Town Without a Frown"

Image: Yuyang Liu

Happy, Texas, boasts one of the most wholesome town names—and a matching motto. This Panhandle town of 600 lives up to its name with a smiley-face water tower and an annual "Happy, Texas Day" celebration.

Founded in the 1890s, Happy got its name from cowboys who found water here after a drought.

10

"The Last Word in Hospitality"

Image: vamshi vanaparthi

How do you pronounce Zzyzx, a town in California? It’s "Zye-zix." This Mojave Desert spot was once a health spa run by a self-proclaimed "doctor" who invented the name to be the last word in the dictionary.

Today, it’s a research center—and yes, it remains the last alphabetical town in the US, just as intended.

11

"High and Dry Since 1854"

Image: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

That’s funny! But irony alert: Waterproof, Louisiana, is ironically prone to flooding. Named after a local plantation owner’s boast that his land was "waterproof," the town’s motto leans into the joke. After multiple floods, the residents have learned to take it in stride.

12

"A Beautiful Mistake"

Image: Sarah Kilian

Finally, we have the quaint town of Accident, located in Maryland. Founded in 1774 after a land surveyor "accidentally" marked the wrong spot , Accident embraces its quirky origin story.

Today, it’s a charming Appalachian town, best known for its humorous name.