Last updated: September 10, 2026
Check out p. 7 in Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society LXXIII…
Excerpt:
Most of us do not spend a lot of time discussing idols. Or do we? When talking about manned spacecraft, the name “Apollo” just rolls off our tongues. When discussing brand name footwear, we mention “Nike” without any second thoughts. And of course an old fashioned glass thermometer is a “mercury thermometer.” However, most of us have forgotten the idolatrous origins of these words: Apollo was the Greek god of the sun, Nike was the Greek god of victory, and Mercury was the Roman god of travel.
Are we halachically allowed to say these names, and if so, under what circumstances?