In the UK, the "liquid" part is most important. Paraffin (used on it's
own) is a liquid for using in lamps or heaters with a wick. Paraffin in
the UK, Kerosene in the US. The suffix "oil" isn't used in the UK at all
(or wasn't, at least) when referring to the stuff that burns.
If anyone asked for paraffin oil, nobody would know what they wanted
other than an oil for applying to wooden garden furniture as a
protection so, in this case, the addition of the word "oil" changes the
actual product.
Mineral oil is also a problem in the UK. I use mineral oil in my car
10/40 viscosity (as opposed to synthetic oil).
Mineral oil doesn't have a specific type here - just an oil that is
mineral based - so needs something added - as in "mineral engine oil".
The only answer is to ask what the purpose of the stuff is (ie a
laxative or to burn in a lamp).
It can be quite a serious problem. Paraffin (as in kerosene) wouldn't do
bearings much good and neither would paraffin wax (as used in candle
making) nor would vaseline petroleum jelly.
One really needs to Google the thing and look for articles from the
country of origin to see what it's used for and then translate to your
own country.
I'm reminded that a famous contraceptive in the UK has the same name as
clear sticky tape in Australia!
Research!
Colin Hill
On 09/07/2011 14:26, Arle wrote:
I just found that, to complicate things, paraffin oil is ambiguous in
UK English. It can equal (US) mineral oil (which is used as a laxative
and in food preparation) or (US) kerosene/lamp oil, which is also used
as the fuel for jets. What you want is the former, not the latter,
even though they share the same name in the U.K.
Don't you just love ambiguous language?
-Arle
On Jul 9, 9:17 am, Arle Lommel<[email protected]> wrote:
Paraffin oil (U.K.) = mineral oil (U.S.). They are the same thing, just like
boot = trunk and bonnet = hood. That may be what Colin was saying (I can't tell
if he means they are the same thing or if paraffin oil is a *kind* of mineral
oil).
These were some of the terms we had to deal with when translating Balázs' book
in 2006.
In any event, mineral/paraffin oil is what you want. I know some people will
also use a light machine oil, but even light machine oils have a non-volatile
fraction that will condense over time.
-Arle
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