Pam

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A lightweight nonstick cooking spray used to prevent food from adhering to pans and baking dishes; a brand or product name commonly recognized for kitchen convenience; an aerosol-based substance that creates a thin, even coat to aid in cooking processes
2. A commercial aerosol spray designed to coat cookware with a thin film to reduce sticking; a trademarked item often found in household kitchens for cooking ease; an oil-based spray facilitating removal of food from surfaces
3. A sprayable substance used in culinary preparation to create nonstick surfaces on cookware; a well-known brand facilitating easier food release during cooking; an aerosol product that helps prevent sticking and simplifies cleaning of pans

Etymology: Few kitchen products have a name that began as a trademark and ended as a common noun. Here the generic sense comes from the brand name PAM, which now means any aerosol cooking spray that keeps food from sticking to pans and dishes, whatever its maker. The brand name's own origin is less settled. One proposal is that it is a special use of a man's name, and another is that it is an alteration of "panorama," though neither link is confirmed.

Synonyms: pamela, pamela spray, nonstick spray