Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
#53833 01/26/02 03:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
"Odd, parafin = wax in French not kerosene. Are you sure it means kerosene??"

When petroleum is fractionated, the short chain compounds boil off first, and are suitable for internal combustion engine fuel. The next longer chain compounds are suitable for heating and illuminationm, and jet airplane fuel. US got home electricity a couple decades ahead of UK, thanks to Insull, and so stopped using "kerosene" a long time ago. We use "paraffin" for one of the solids, which is used for candles and wax paper.It used to be for making seal on top of home made jellies, jams, and preserves.


#53834 01/26/02 03:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
W
wow Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
4. The Americans call him a mortician. What do the British call him?

Harumph! No American I know uses "mortician" it is always undertaker or funeral director.
Who made up this list anyway (mumble mumble)

Good fun Jazzo. Thank you.

#53835 01/26/02 03:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
A thumb tack is a flat, wide disc requiring one finger (or thumb) to imbed.
A pushpin has a tall, thinner body (with flanges on top and bottom) *requiring two 'fingers'.
A drawing pin was (25 years ago) a pushpin (shape) for securing drafting mylar (I'm sure it still is).

Depends on exactly you mean by vest. I know what yer sayin', Jimmy.


#53836 01/26/02 05:53 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
No American I know uses "mortician"

I think the morticians themselves do.


#53837 01/26/02 06:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
An obsequies professional I knew a long time ago had special bumpersticker on his automobile
" The fishin' Mortician".



Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
A drawing pin was (25 years ago) a pushpin (shape) for securing drafting mylar (I'm sure it still is).

Can you hear me rattling my packet of drawing pins, old son? [snake rattling -e]



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Can you hear me rattling my packet of drawing pins, old son? [snake rattling -e]

Doesn't that hurt when you bend over?


#53840 01/28/02 03:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
I know approximately no one who uses the term billfold.

[let-me-introduce-myself emoticon]

I also use "wallet," but I'm pretty sure that I use "billfold" more frequently.




#53841 01/28/02 03:45 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872
M
old hand
Offline
old hand
M
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872

Say the word wallet. See, to say wallet you must use a high pitched voice. Now say BILLFOLD, How deep, how direct, and how to the point.
Words like wallet should be reserved for the naming of ugly fishes and little birds.
This is an opinion of...,
Milum.


#53842 01/28/02 03:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Say the word wallet. See, to say wallet you must use a high pitched voice. Now say BILLFOLD, How deep, how direct, and how to the point.

Ah, let us rejoice in our diversity.


Page 2 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,271
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 397 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,502
LukeJavan8 9,915
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5