vaseline English · revision 1491

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=coinage|attested=1872}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈvæ.sə.liːn/ ''(UK)''; /ˈvæ.sə.lin/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was coined as a trademark by Robert A. Chesebrough,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[de|Wasser|t=water]], [[grc|ἔλαιον|tr=élaion|t=oil]] and the chemical suffix [[-ine]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966) The name reflects Chesebrough's belief that petroleum came from the decomposition of water underground.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A soft, greasy substance obtained from petroleum and used as an ointment or lubricant (1872 in Etymonline; 1874 in the OED and Barnhart; 1877 in Klein).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was marketed by the Chesebrough Manufacturing Company.^(Etymonline) Partridge calls the formation “irresponsible”, like many trade names,^(Partridge 1966) and Weekley adds an exclamation mark.^(Weekley 1921) The verb, to rub or lubricate with Vaseline, dates from 1891.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) In glassmaking ''Vaseline glass'' is a greenish-yellow glass of the colour of Vaseline (1966).^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1872 – the trademark (Etymonline).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1874 – first quotation in the OED.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1891 – verb, to apply Vaseline.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1966 – Vaseline glass.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(trademark)'' A brand of [[petroleum jelly]], used as an ointment and lubricant; usually capitalized.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Any petroleum jelly.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To apply petroleum jelly to.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[petrolatum]]

+ * [[petroleum]]

+ * [[oil]]

+ * [[water]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}