Harold Fuchs wrote: > On 14/02/2008, Claude Poliakoff, MD FACS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Let me place an American vote for "fridge" which is so self-explanatory >> that any American should recognize it. As for "biro" for ballpoint pen, >> that might not be so obvious. "Hoover" on the other hand is either >> American or I'm giving away my age. Like the Trash 80 and luggable >> discussion. >> >> >> Claude >> > > > <snip> > > I didn't mean that the words are British. I meant that in my experience of > over 20 years travelling and working in the US I've never heard anyone use > those words, in this context, in normal conversation. Instead they say > "ballpoint", "vacuum" (which is even used as a verb) and "refrigerator". On > the other hand, I've rarely heard Brits use "vacuum", especially not as a > verb, and "fridge" is absolutely normal. Use of "Biro" is decreasing, > presumably because the company isn't as prominent as it was - is it still > going? > > > Well, I live in Canada. Until now, I've never heard of Biro. Hoover is simply a brand of vacuum cleaner (Gotta keep those vacuums clean! <g>) and while fridge is commonly used, it could simply be a contraction of refrigerator and not the brand name Frigidaire.
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