Q-Tip
/ˈkjuːˌtɪp/noun
A brand of cotton-tipped swab used for cleaning or applying substances.
Did you know?The 'Q' in Q-Tip originally stood for 'quality', hinting at a time when branding was tied to a promise of excellence in personal care.
Etymological Timeline
20th Century
English
Q-Tip
“A brand name for a cotton swab invented in the 1920s, marketed as a high-quality product for personal hygiene.”
19th Century
English
Tip
“Refers to the end or point of something, often associated with the application of substances.”
Middle English
English
Tippe
“The end or tip of an object, used in various contexts of precision.”
Old English
English
Tippian
“To touch lightly or apply, suggesting a delicate action.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*tipō
“The point or end of an object, indicating a focus on precision and application.”