Several names is confusing

Why is Surgical Spirit called different names?

I have been looking something up and seen it called "rubbing alcohol" and also "Isopropyl alcohol. I found it very confusing and was wondering where on earth I could buy 'rubbing alcohol', and then discovered it was all the same stuff - surgical spirit!

Re: Several names is confusing

Blame it on doctors. Its not enough that we can't read their writting, they like to call things in all different ways when the final outcome is the same. Thats why I tell my doctor all the time... Keep it simple, doc.

Re: Several names is confusing

Some product names are very old and had a particular purpose which may or may not exist now and their names were superseded by new ones .

Others names are generic, the name of the substance is taken up by a manufacturer and given their own trade name which can be more appealing

Petroleum jelly is a good example, Vaseline sounds more pleasant I think

Re: Several names is confusing

I think the Americans call surgical spirit, alcohol. I remember my sister using it a lot for disinfection when she lived there.
Yes Meg, Vaseline does sound better than white soft paraffin too. It was called that when I started dispensing.