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Sometimes people learn new words, other times keeping old words (usually modified) works better. To take your example, in Turkish the word for vacuum cleaner li

Sometimes people learn new words, other times keeping old words (usually modified) works better. To take your example, in Turkish the word for vacuum cleaner literally translates as "electric broom", and cell phones are commonly called "cep" which actually translates as "pocket". Or consider the British who still use electric torches (that's a flashlight for all you non-Brits).

tonylemesmer 12y ago
we just say "torch"
SixSigma 12y ago
and just about everyone says "hoover" not vacuum cleaner I bet it would take along time for most people asked "how does a vacuum cleaner work?" to use the word vacuum, apart from as a name for the object.
- losvedir 12y ago
  Nah, "hoover" is just your dialect. American here, grew up in CA, and I've never heard or said "hoover". But yeah, I wouldn't say "vacuum" as a method of action unless you really drilled down. (Something about "pump" and "sucking", but I'd have to think for a bit to get to the actual physical "vacuum" aspect of it.)
  - SixSigma 12y ago
    You're right, I meant to type "in the UK" somewhere but it seems I forgot
  - aidenn0 12y ago
    In Indiana, a lot people said "sweeper" and they "sweeped" the room with it.
    - mod 12y ago
      Can confirm, Hoosier here. Also 'clicker' for remote.
cmdkeen 12y ago
We Brits also call a cell phone a "mobile phone" which describes perfectly what it is.
- viewer5 12y ago
  In the US, a "mobile phone" is a cordless phone with a base.
  - mod 12y ago
    As an American, I don't agree. All the companies are branding as "mobile." I don't think they really even sell household corded phones anymore, we don't have to be specific about them. If I wanted a corded phone, I think I'd have to use that specific modifier to get one. Anyway, back to the point--say "mobile phone" to Americans and they know it's a cellular phone.
    - ghkbrew 12y ago
      Seconded. "cellphone" and "mobile phone" are basically interchangeable to me. Though, honestly I'm more likely to just refer to it as a "phone" and use a qualifier to refer to the non-mobile variety (e.g. "house phone" or "land-line")

tonylemesmer 12y ago

we just say "torch"

SixSigma 12y ago

and just about everyone says "hoover" not vacuum cleaner I bet it would take along time for most people asked "how does a vacuum cleaner work?" to use the word vacuum, apart from as a name for the object.

losvedir 12y ago
Nah, "hoover" is just your dialect. American here, grew up in CA, and I've never heard or said "hoover". But yeah, I wouldn't say "vacuum" as a method of action unless you really drilled down. (Something about "pump" and "sucking", but I'd have to think for a bit to get to the actual physical "vacuum" aspect of it.)
- SixSigma 12y ago
  You're right, I meant to type "in the UK" somewhere but it seems I forgot
- aidenn0 12y ago
  In Indiana, a lot people said "sweeper" and they "sweeped" the room with it.
  - mod 12y ago
    Can confirm, Hoosier here. Also 'clicker' for remote.

cmdkeen 12y ago

We Brits also call a cell phone a "mobile phone" which describes perfectly what it is.

viewer5 12y ago
In the US, a "mobile phone" is a cordless phone with a base.
- mod 12y ago
  As an American, I don't agree. All the companies are branding as "mobile." I don't think they really even sell household corded phones anymore, we don't have to be specific about them. If I wanted a corded phone, I think I'd have to use that specific modifier to get one. Anyway, back to the point--say "mobile phone" to Americans and they know it's a cellular phone.
  - ghkbrew 12y ago
    Seconded. "cellphone" and "mobile phone" are basically interchangeable to me. Though, honestly I'm more likely to just refer to it as a "phone" and use a qualifier to refer to the non-mobile variety (e.g. "house phone" or "land-line")