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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
The only time we ever use the word defrost is when you have to remove frost from something - like windows in a car. also when you eat just the frosting and throw away the cake, but that's another story
For the rest, it's thaw.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 96
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 96 |
There's that danged "d" in 'frigerator, again!
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027 |
defrost must have been invented by a clever marketing wizard: It implies that you need to do something when in fact the thawing happens by itself: thaw can be used intransitively, whereas defrost cannot, as far as I know.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
AHD4 lists both transitive and intransitive definitions: a freezer that defrosts automaticallyhttp://www.bartleby.com/61/77/D0097700.html
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
Oh, good, Trouser ... you put a thought in my head where it is now like a tune I can't keep from running like a tape loop!
Welcome to our merry band.
Now, I use thaw when something takes a long time - like the frozen Butterball turkey at Thanksgiving - where it takes 24-38 hours in the fridge.
Defrost I tend to use when it takes just a short time like hamburger patties left in the fridge for a few hours or "nuked" if you're in a hurry - although I don't like to do that. I think it changes the flavor but that could just be me.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Thanks for the poss answers - seems to be no absolute solution though - which i guess is always the way. It makes no sense, i tells you...
Trouser, I hope we've at least helped to stem the madness tide. I empathize.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72 |
I agree. Defrosting is artificially expediting the process of thawing.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
artificially expediting the process of thawing
Does soaking in water count as "artificially expediting the process of thawing"?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72 |
Well, crap. I dunno.
A watched frozen sausage never thaws...
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
A watched frozen sausage never thaws...just defrost it in the microwave... 
formerly known as etaoin...
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