Talk:bubbler

• In Wisconsin, the term bubbler is used in and around the Milwaukee region, although most Wisconsinites throughout the state are familiar with the term. Massachusetts is another state where the term is used in elementary schools to refer to drinking fountains.
• The origin of bubbler in Wisconsin is unknown, but several sepculations are out there:
  • A) The drinking fountains in Milwaukee in years past had the apperance of bubbling when used.
  • B) Bubbler may have been a brand name. This is similar to using the word Kleenex to refer to facial tissue.

Unsigned.

Thanks!

It’s called a bubbler because of the bubbling action, particularly when the stream is vertical. It was invented by and is trademarked by Kohler; I’ve added this to the etymology.

—Nils von Barth (nbarth) (talk) 08:19, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

No trademark found

I've searched the US Patent and Trademark office records and found no registration of the name "Bubbler" or "The Bubbler" by Kohler. On the other hand, I did find a soft drink dispenser called "Bubbler" registered in 2007 and a pet water aerator called "The Bubbler" from 2005. Since similar names in related industries are usually refused, I conclude that Kohler's "Bubbler" was not registered. I also find lots and lots of blogs and a few newspaper articles claiming Kohler as the source of the name, but most of these stories appear to be based on a Wikipedia article at w:Bubbler that cited no reliable source for the claim. It is therefore doubtful that Kohler originated use of the word in the "drinking fountain" sense. Cnilep (talk) 00:17, 16 June 2013 (UTC)