deird_lj: (Default)
deird_lj ([personal profile] deird_lj) wrote2010-04-21 02:04 pm
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[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2010-04-21 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I have discovered so many odd things between British English and American English when it comes to furnishings and the like - I start with this really weird picture in my mind, then eventually realise that they are just using the 'wrong' word.

I mean what does a bedroom with a hutch and an armoire bring to mind? Especially if it also has half a bathroom with a commode in it...

I often wondered if they kept rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters in the hutch - and wondered why they had a specialist place for armour - not to mention a hip bath and a, well, commode!

It means they have a cupboard (hutch!) and a wardrobe (armour), and an en-suite loo ('a half bathroom'...!). Apparently in parts of the US commode also means the plumbed in variety...!!

ETA - not to mention the flatware - which probably wouldn't be in the bedroom - unless it is the bedroom of a student or similar...
Edited 2010-04-21 12:51 (UTC)
quinara: Sheep on a hillside with a smiley face. (Default)

[personal profile] quinara 2010-04-21 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I could do 'armoire' and 'commode', but 'hutch' and 'half bathroom' just make my head go o.O...

This is the problem with writing American dialogue/POVed prose in fic - you spend so much time feeling really really silly...