household word

household word

Something that has become widely popular or commonly known. Due to the widespread adoption of mobile technology, "smartphone" has become a household word.
See also: household, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a ˌhousehold ˈname/ˈword

a name/word that is extremely well known: The business she founded made her into a household name. Microsoft is a household name.
See also: household, name, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

household word

A very familiar saying, person, or thing. Although this term was perhaps originated by Shakespeare, it did not come into common use until the nineteenth century. Occasionally it is used derisively.
See also: household, word
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • get tired of (something)
  • addict
  • addict (one) to (something)
  • addict to
  • can of worms
  • can of worms, it's a/like opening a
  • a can of worms
  • get/put somebody's back up
  • have (one's) back up
  • get someone's back up
References in periodicals archive
We may recognize some of our brothers and sisters when we see them on the "Today Show," but they will fade back into the obscurity of their day jobs and not become household words.
Rushdie himself became a household word after the fatva.
However, future expansion is planned and will continue to ensure that Cory Brothers remains a household word within the shipping and logistics industry.
Each brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to their respective position that we feel will help us take that next step in making Pro-Ears a household word," said Dan Nigro, company founder and president.
Future studies may finally pinpoint the time when "meow" became a household word.--Emily Sohn
While I concede the arguments made for a more accurate reporting of true "mean" blood glucose levels instead of hemoglobin [A.sub.1c], this fact must be acknowledged: Hb[A.sub.1c] is now a household word with physicians, and that benchmark has motivated physicians to push for better diabetes control ("Hb[A.sub.1c] Reporting Could Be Dropped as Early as 2008," Jan.
"Angaza is truly a household word, and people understand our mission!" he said excitedly.
Poult enteritis complex, or PEC, is hardly a household word. But this complex of viruses causes diarrhea, poor weight gain, and--in some cases--death of young turkeys.
"Global warming has become a household word, thanks in part to Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth," says Rountree.
Robert Parker has become a household word in the wine business.
In Europe, where the brand is a household word, the packaging is a strong contributor to the company's renown.
I ended up in Kelowna, a place that became a household word two years ago during its devastating forest fires.
My goal was to make the Wise Women Tradition known, not exactly as a household word, but to at least have the idea of it in people's minds.
Certified wood may not yet be a household word, but the scramble on the supply side to meet increasing demand should generate its own publicity.
Before offshoring was a household word the United States won two world wars and put men on the moon--not once, but several times.