What are brands? The variety of meanings of the ordinary word

Virtually every word used ineveryday lexicon, there are several meanings that are applied depending on the context. Some of them are common, others are strictly encyclopedic or outdated and forgotten by most people.

Basic Meaning of the Word

Finding out what brands are, it is always necessaryconsider the situation in which they are mentioned. At present, this word is associated with the meaning of things. In particular, Ushakov's dictionary defines it as follows:

1. A postal sign confirming the payment of the fee for sending a letter or parcel to a certain distance.
2. A trademark or brand on a product intended for quick recognition by the purchaser and individualization of the manufacturer.
3. The name of the monetary unit that went to different times in the territory of Germany, Estonia and Finland. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the so-called heavy gold coins weighing up to 8 ounces.

In any language, you can find another meaning of the word "mark", which in the XXI century. forgotten. For example, land surveyors of the XVIII-XIX centuries. they called it another sign or sign for calculating the area.

Origin and features of postage stamps

Most often, determining what brands are,mean a sign intended for payment of charges for sending correspondence. He appeared in the UK in the XIX century, when in this country they decided once and for all to eradicate the confusion with the postal service. The idea belongs to Mr. Rowland Hill, who in 1847 appealed to the government with a proposal to carry out postal reform and introduce a uniform tariff for shipments around the country. Three years later, on January 10, 1840, the parliament passed a law, and a few months later the first brand in the world began to circulate in the UK - a piece of dark paper with a portrait of Queen Victoria, which was popularly called the "black penny".

After only 10 years in almost every countrythere were own postal signs, and in 1878 the Universal Postal Union was formed. The countries that entered it agreed on common tariffs and delivery of correspondence. So, because of a small piece of paper, the distances between people were greatly reduced.

Postage stamps are a part of the culture of each country. They are released to memorable dates or landmark events, they "advertise" places and sights, talk about traditional culture, give tribute to outstanding people - scientists, war heroes, actors. At the end of XIX century. was even created a special "language of love," when the location of the stamp on the envelope could be a recognition or a good wish.

In the XXI century. people communicate more often by phone or on the Internet. However, state authorities continue to send letters, and the number of philatelists (collectors of unusual brands) is only increasing.

Features of brands and brands

In everyday circulation, there is often a word"trade mark". Definition of it in this sense sounds like an individual visual expression of the manufacturer of any product. The concept is very broad and can include corporate colors, logos, organizational style, trademarks and so on. It is often considered synonymous with the brand. However, the latter does not mean any brand, but only popular and popular with the consumer. For example, shoes "Gucci" - a brand, and little-known shoes "Krapivinskaya Kalinka" - a trademark.

In addition, the word itself canused to characterize a particular product - wine, cheese, chocolate and so on. As a rule, it is used to emphasize special qualities and exclusivity.

Defining what the product brand means, you needremember that this can only be considered a registered designation. That is, a set of designations for a particular product must be issued a special permit - a patent. This requirement is the same for all countries.

Monetary units

For a long time, telling what brands are, peopleimplied the monetary units of some countries. In particular, on the territory of Germany, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, for a long time there was a large gold coin - a brand. In 1870, during the financial reform, it was introduced as a single national currency. In the XX century. The brand was issued in the form of banknotes and coins. After the Second World War, the country was divided into 2 parts (Germany and the GDR), but the name did not change. From the financial market, Germany's brands left in 2002, giving way to the euro.

Similarly, money units were named in Finland (before 2002), Estonia (from 1918 to 1928) and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Deprecated or underutilized values

The language of mankind is very plastic, and the meaningsome words change with time. Speaking of what brands are, it can be mentioned that in the Middle Ages in Europe, this word meant a small noble estate (for possession of younger sons), an administrative point on the border, a rural community with common pastures and forests.

In Russia, the so-called signs of surveyors and surveyors were called so, the guiding signs for paving roads and trays for sellers of small goods traveling in rural areas - is the autumn.