12 Words Coined or Owned by Famous People
Say what you will about the new NIL rules, but some random college-town apparel store should never have been able to profit off of a teenage Anthony Davis.
‘Clapback’
Ja Rule’s 2003 song “Clap Back” was about taking revenge on people who disrespected him, and the word came to represent a targeted retort.
‘Fear the Brow’ and ‘Raise the Brow’
Due to NCAA rules, unibrow advocate and basketball player Anthony Davis couldn’t do anything about an apparel store that had trademarked the phrase “fear the brow” and was selling merch with the phrase on it. As soon as he got to the NBA, he turned around and trademarked both phrases so he could finally start profiting off of his own brow.
‘That’s Hot’
Paris Hilton has owned the use of the phrase in the context of “multimedia entertainment services in the nature of recording, production and post production services in the fields of music, video, film” since 2007.
Taylor Swift Owns Some of the Most Mundane Phrases in the English Language
In 2014, she trademarked “This sick beat” because of her song “Shake It Off,” and did the same thing in 2017 with “Nice to meet you” and “Where you been?” from “Blank Space.”
‘50 Cent’
You can probably guess who owns this trademark: It’s Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. He trademarked it a year before his debut album hit in 2002, and in 2008, he sued Taco Bell for, technically, using his name in an ad campaign. They settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
‘Tebowing’
A Denver Broncos fan attempted to trademark the word when Tim Tebow was hot stuff in 2011, but the trademark was granted to Tebow in 2013. By 2015, no one was Tebowing anymore, and Timmy failed to submit a required extension request. So it’s all yours if you want it.
Beyonce and Jay-Z Trademarked Their Kids’ Names
If you were thinking of creating a product named Blue Ivy Carter, Rumi Carter or Sir Carter, think again.
Same With Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
We know you were circling North West, Saint West, Chicago West and Psalm West for your children’s skincare product or whatever. Back off!
A Failed Attempt to Trademark
Stylist Rachel Zoe fought to trademark her signature phrase “I die” in 2008, but gave up her quest in 2013.
‘Smize’
Tyra Banks brought “flawsome,” “drekitude” and “smize” into existence, the latter of which is still occasionally used in casual conversation. She tried to capitalize on it with an app called “Smize Yourself.”
‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!’
Perpetually tuxedo-clad MC Michael Buffer trademarked his signature howl in 1995, and he reportedly gets nearly $5 million every time it’s yelled before a pro boxing match.
’YOLO’
The corniest rapper popularized the corniest Millennial slang, and he can’t even profit from it. Although actress Mae West had long before said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough,” Drake immortalized the word “YOLO” in his 2011 song “The Motto.” Interestingly, he can’t prove that he invented or owns the word, as it was used earlier by The Strokes and some dork who was on The Average Joe.