etymology - Why is home electricity supply called "mains"? - English ...
Jun 4, 2017 · The word "mains" seems to be a widely understood synonym for home electricity supply. Why is it called so? I always thought it was a corruption of main [electricity supply]. Is it an American …
When is "Mains" or "grid" no longer the correct electrical term?
Sep 8, 2015 · Mains means connected to the external utility network (electricity, gas, water, sewerage etc.). So in your example, a "mains" car would have to be connected to the wall permanently: the …
Is there a term for "mains power" in U.S. English?
Apr 12, 2011 · This insinuates that "mains" is not a U.S. term, and that the alternatives are all equally imprecise. Conclusion: Americans are likely to use "grid" as a synonym for "mains", which isn't …
Are both gasoline and mains gas called "gas" in the USA?
Dec 16, 2021 · So what if somebody is talking about their gas-stove while casually mentioning their car? I've called the gas company about these outrageous gas bills, oh, and Honey, will you please drive …
transatlantic differences - What's a word for a small rural property ...
Mar 13, 2026 · If by any chance any of you are Portuguese speakers, I am looking for a word that would be an equivalent to the Brazilian Portuguese term chácara. In this kind of rural property, no cattle are …
word choice - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Jan 10, 2015 · This length of pipe between the mains and the home is often called the supply line. In the US, the name for the connection between the mains and the supply line is known as the corporation …
What is the proper usage of "quite a few"?
Oct 15, 2010 · Quite a few expresses that the speaker was impressed or astonished by the number, as they would have expected less. Or the speaker wants to emphasize on the fact that it was "more …
word choice - When to use "-er" vs "-or" as a suffix in verbs - a ...
Jul 7, 2018 · We refer to it as either: " the Adaptor implementation for the UK to EU mains sockets " to emphasize the pattern that was used to implement the specific solution (adaptation) or the " the UK …
What’s the difference between “to reduce ʙʏ one-third” and “to re ...
Nov 22, 2020 · A sample of fluorine gas occupies a volume of 600 mL at 760 torr. Given that the temperature remains the same, calculate the pressure required to reduce its volume by one-third. I d...
Does "You flatter me" have negative connotations?
The phrase "You flatter me" is usually taken as a modest response to a compliment, as you originally thought. Although flattery has some negative connotations, it can often be just friendly politeness.