Definition
A bright orange-red antiseptic liquid containing mercury, widely used from the 1920s through 1990s to disinfect minor cuts and scrapes. Applied topically, it was a standard household first-aid staple that stained skin and clothing but rarely caused serious harm despite mercury's toxicity.
Example Usage
Mom dabbed Mercurochrome on my scraped knee and suddenly my leg was bright red, like I'd been painted.
Origin
Proprietary name for merbromin, a mercury-containing compound developed in 1917; the name blends 'mercury' and 'bromine.' Trademark owned by various manufacturers; common brand name was 'Mercurochrome' itself.
Fun Fact
Despite its widespread use, Mercurochrome was gradually phased out after the FDA began restricting mercury-based products in the 1970s, finally banning it in 1998 due to toxicity concerns, though it remained popular in many households through the 1980s.
Related Terms
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