Xrefer Americanisms - Wordsmith.org

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#53833 - 01/26/02 10:00 AM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
wwh Carpal Tunnel Registered: 01/18/01 Posts: 13858	"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.
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#53834 - 01/26/02 10:30 AM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
wow Carpal Tunnel Registered: 11/25/00 Posts: 3439 Loc: New England, USA	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.
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#53835 - 01/26/02 10:52 AM Americanisms
musick Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/24/00 Posts: 2658 Loc: Chicago	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.
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#53836 - 01/26/02 12:53 PM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
Faldage Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/01/00 Posts: 13654	No American I know uses "mortician" I think the morticians themselves do.
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#53837 - 01/26/02 01:01 PM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
wwh Carpal Tunnel Registered: 01/18/01 Posts: 13858	An obsequies professional I knew a long time ago had special bumpersticker on his automobile " The fishin' Mortician".
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#53838 - 01/26/02 04:42 PM Re: Underpinning at the Sharp End
Capital Kiwi Carpal Tunnel Registered: 11/13/00 Posts: 3146 Loc: Northamptonshire, England	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 ...
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#53839 - 01/26/02 05:33 PM Re: Underpinning at the Sharp End
musick Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/24/00 Posts: 2658 Loc: Chicago	Can you hear me rattling my packet of drawing pins, old son? [snake rattling -e] Doesn't that hurt when you bend over?
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#53840 - 01/28/02 10:14 AM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
Sparteye Pooh-Bah Registered: 01/05/01 Posts: 1773	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.
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#53841 - 01/28/02 10:45 AM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
milum old hand Registered: 09/03/01 Posts: 872 Loc: Birmingham, Alabama	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.
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#53842 - 01/28/02 10:57 AM Re: Xrefer Americanisms
Faldage Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/01/00 Posts: 13654	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.
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