Durex

English

Etymology

Condom brand name: 1929, from durability, reliability, excellence.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Proper noun

Durex

A Durex-brand condom in a packet.

1. (Britain) A brand of condom.
2. (Australia) A brand of adhesive tape; sometimes used as the generic term for adhesive tape.

Translations

adhesive tape — see adhesive tape

Noun

Durex (plural Durexes)

1. (Britain) A condom.
   • 2006, “Rudebox”, in Rudebox, performed by Robbie Williams:

     Pocket full of Durex, body full of Mandrex / Are we gonna have sex? Will you wear your knee socks?

Usage notes

• Given the very different meanings in the UK and Australia, confusion (or worse) can arise when natives of one country use this term in the other.
• Use of Durex as a generic term for adhesive tape has declined markedly in Australia in recent years as the brand is no longer sold there, and in fact the condom brand is widely available and marketed in that country (though Durex is still rare as a generic term for condoms in Australia).

Translations

condom — see condom

See also

• adhesive tape
• Scotch tape
• sellotape, Sellotape
• sticky tape
• tape

Anagrams

• redux

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dy.ʁɛks/

• Audio

  (file)

Proper noun

Durex m

1. (Canada) A brand of adhesive tape.
2. (France) A brand of condom.

Synonyms

• Scotch