biros
Cheap writing instruments
Biros is the plural of biro, a British term for a ballpoint pen.
The word comes from László Bíró, the Hungarian inventor who patented the design in 1938.
In British English, biro functions as a generic term for any ballpoint pen regardless of brand: Have you got a couple of biros I can borrow?
Americans typically say ballpoint or just pen.
Obvious; inventor's monopoly
- trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
- inventionNew device or method
- HungaryCentral European republic
- ArgentinaSouthern cone republic
licensing · Reynolds · ballpoint · stationery · innovation · manufacturing · product · consumer
Pen with rotating sphere
- cartridgeSealed container for supplies
- refillRestoring spent contents
- smudgeUnclear dirty mark
- blotMark left by spillage
leakage · reservoir · indelible · permanent · gel · blue · black · red
Write without care
- jotBrief, hasty recording
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- note-takingRecording information while listening
- doodleMindless rough sketch
crossword · exam · homework · underlining · annotation · everyday · sketch · memo
For one application only
- plasticCapable of being molded
- throwawayDesigned for discard
- cheapLow in price
- landfillWaste burial ground
waste · convenience · mass-produced · low-cost · replaceable · lost · chewed · pocket
patent
Obvious; inventor's monopoly
- trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
- inventionNew device or method
- HungaryCentral European republic
Argentina · licensing · Reynolds · ballpoint · stationery · innovation · manufacturing · product · consumer · retail
ballpoint
Pen with rotating sphere
blot · leakage · reservoir · indelible · permanent · gel · blue · black · red · skip
scribble
Write without care
- jotBrief, hasty recording
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- note-takingRecording information while listening
doodle · crossword · exam · homework · underlining · annotation · everyday · sketch · memo · handwriting
single-use
For one application only
landfill · waste · convenience · mass-produced · low-cost · replaceable · lost · chewed · pocket · promotional
birosfountain pens
Writing instruments with internal reservoirs
quills · dip pens · calligraphy pens · pencils · brushes