Generic terms are broad words or phrases used to describe a group of related individuals, such as “psychosis” or “intellectual property.” They are often used in both professional and casual situations. “Umbrella” is often used with larger entities, but it is not the same as an umbrella term, which groups together subjects with clear similarities. Confusing the two is common, but not necessarily problematic.
A generic term, or hypernym, is a word or phrase used to describe in a general, rather than a specific way, a group of variable but identifiably related individuals. People in various professions, social circles and age groups use generic terms. The word “umbrella” often precedes words such as “company” and “brand,” although the entities under these umbrellas do not have the same relationships as those under the umbrella terms. While the two phrases are often used interchangeably, generic terms usually differ from general terms. This is because broad terms group together terms with specific and expressed similarities, and broad terms do not always provide much detail about the terms they group together.
It is common for people to use generic terms in both professional and casual or lay situations. For example, the word “psychosis” is an umbrella term that covers various abnormal mental conditions that cause patients to lose touch with reality on some level. Psychiatrists might refer to the specific psychosis with each other and possibly with the diagnosed patient. Yet, it’s common for ordinary civilians to use the word “psychosis” and understand that it refers to a mental health condition that bears specific similarities to the rest of the conditions within its group.
Similarly, “intellectual property” is an umbrella term used to describe an assortment of intangible property, such as music, writing, and art. During a specific professional or legal situation, professionals mean by “intellectual property” the specific catalogue, music or book in question. On the other hand, people can say “intellectual property” and anyone, industry professionals and ordinary citizens, can understand the phrase to refer to intangible assets.
Many times, “umbrella” is paired with entities larger than just a grouping of subjects. For example, phrases such as “umbrella company” and “umbrella brand” are used to describe a “parent” entity that covers all other smaller entities. Several small companies might operate under one larger umbrella company. Similarly, a popular umbrella brand might own and oversee many other brands. Since the smaller entity may have nothing in common with the larger one other than ownership, phrases such as “umbrella company” and “umbrella brand” are not similar in meaning to the phrase “umbrella term”.
Because of their similar definitions, it’s easy to confuse an umbrella term with an umbrella term. However, where generic terms cover subjects with clear similarities, general terms make no promises about the degree of similarities between their subjects. For example, the term “R&B music” is an umbrella term that covers genres such as hip-hop, soul and rap. While people know or have general ideas about the genres of music referred to by the term “R&B music,” types like soul and rap are too different to be considered under one umbrella term. However, if a person uses the phrase “blanket term” when “umbrella term” is more appropriate, chances are the listener or reader will still understand the meaning or perhaps not even acknowledge the mistake.
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