Discovering Different Words Which Mean The Same Thing-#2
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37621)
November 13, 2020 7:17pm CST
Have you ever noticed people from another region whether in the U.S. or some other country using different words to describe the same thing?
It's kind of a fun word game to me and depending on where your from a healthy debate. I found these three terms interesting...
SEMI OR TRACTOR TRAILER?
What do you call those big rigs rolling down the highway? It seems Easterners call them "tractor trailers" but as someone from that area, I've always preferred the term "semi." Do you see a lot of semis or trailers where you live?
LIGHTENING BUG OR FIREFLY?
I like both names but never used the word "firefly." I enjoy seeing them during summer and as a kid used to catch them in a jar to watch them light up. Did you? I've read the West Coast never uses the word "Lightening Bug." I wonder what other states/regions prefer to use the term "firefly?"
GARAGE SALE OR YARD SALE?
I've always used the term "yard sale" although my local paper uses both words when advertising one. It's a great way to rid yourself of unwanted items in your home. After all, one persons garbage is another's treasure so I've heard. It appears the East Coast is more fond of using the term "yard sale" while every other region goes with "garage sale." A couple of other areas of the U.S. actually call these sales by another name? My Mom loved to have "Yard Sales." How about you? Do you enjoy looking for used stuff?
Ok, time for your feedback on these vocabulary words. Which terms are you more familiar and prefer using?
Sources: Good housekeeping & Wikipedia
Photo: countryliving.com
16 people like this
16 responses
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
14 Nov 20
Well, I am not American, so of course I call all those things in my native language, in English in "British English" because this is what I learnt in school.
Tractor trailer in English - but in Italian semi-rimorchio
Firefly is what I use - Lucciole in Italian
I only heard "garage sale" when I visited your country, I think I never heard yard sales.
This does not exist in Italian.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 I know that both garage sales and yard sales exist in your country. I do not know in the UK, but surely not in France, Italy and Switzerland.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Thanks for that international perspective. Very interesting! Yard Sales do exist here 
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381879)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Nov 20
In Australia, we use the terms semi-trailer or road train. I don't think we see fireflies too often here and we have mostly garage sales but occasionally you might see yard sale used. People don't seem to know the phrase 'op shop' which is Oz (opportunity shop) for thrift store.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381879)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 When I was a child, soda or pop drinks were always called 'cool drink' in Australia, which is another odd one really.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Thanks for that Aussie term for thrift shop. Very interesting and educational 
I always wondered about yard and garage sales terminology. If you are having your tables set up in the yard then garage sale is not quite accurate 
And in U.S. states like Connecticut and Wisconsin they refer to garage or yard sales as "Rummage or Tag" sales. Go figure?
I always wondered about yard and garage sales terminology. If you are having your tables set up in the yard then garage sale is not quite accurate And in U.S. states like Connecticut and Wisconsin they refer to garage or yard sales as "Rummage or Tag" sales. Go figure?2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 rummage sales is used in Michigan too but more often when it's at a church.
2 people like this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
16 Nov 20
Almost no one does yard sales here at all its something that is not their idea and well because they are not used to it but it does remind me of a very funny story about two Englishmen that I met up with a Bar near to us and they were going to do a yard sale in Alicante selling underwear that were seconds because they had a stitch out of place that sort of thing.
I did really laugh because they were selling them to British people only.
The two of them were from a town very near to where i lived in England.
Two very funny guys.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
19 Nov 20
@dgobucks226
Its just that the normal Spanish people don´t do it like that they will have their markets in villages and stuff and the only thing that takes place say in Madrid, Barcelona are Auctions the big posh ones you know.
They have totally eradicated street markets for the moment and in normal circumstances are making it really hard for them to make a living of it.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
19 Nov 20
Of all the items for one to sell they pick that one.... Does your country have anything similar to yard sales? Street vendors or markets of some kind? Just curious..1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Nov 20
semi 'n yepperz i get more'n i care fer. seems our road 'tis a great 'scape from the d.o.t.
lightnin' bug :) grew'p with such. used to catch'em, put'em'n jars. granny'd turn 'em loose 's soon 's slumber hit. told me such 'twas to light the way fer fairies out'n the woodlands.
back'n the hills, they called such 'yard sales'. here 'tis a smatherin'f both. i used to go 'n find quiltin' fabrics. got lucky once's they'd several critter stock tanks 'n some fencin' items needed.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 yepperz, 18 wheelers :)
dunno 'bout the 'glowworms', but such did freak the hubs out when i took him home years 'go. he'd ne'er seen such.
search me, hon. there'd be lots 'f thingies called schtuff that i've nary a clue.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
18 wheeler is another term used for semi. Forgot about that one. The term originated from the heavier trucks used to transport cargo which used an additional axle with wheels.
Fun fact: Another term for lightening bug or firefly is "glowworms."
Wonder why we use the term Garage sale when we set up our display in the yard?
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Nov 20
Lightening bug and semi mostly. I never saw the bus when growing up I didn't see any until I was in ohio for a class in the late seventies. Now and since I've been back home I see them everywhere. I wonder if they were around but no one told me about them.
We use both yard and garage sales here. Since I've never used a garage door these is say yard sale but most don't pick the word by where it is I'm guessing.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 I've heard glow worms but didn't know they were also lightening bugs
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
21 Nov 20
@MarshaMusselman I did not either. Nice to learn new things
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
19 Nov 20
Fun fact: In the South 18-Wheeler is commonly used in place of Semi or Tractor Trailer. I agree. I think yard and garage sales are both used quite often and are interchangeable.
Have you ever heard the term glowworms for lightening bug?
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (79311)
• Germany
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 Yes, I know that glow worms, too.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Fun fact: Another term for lightening bug or firefly is "glowworms."
2 people like this
@prinzcy (32299)
• Malaysia
14 Nov 20
I am more familiar with garage sale instead of yard sale. We call the bug firefly, even got airlines name Firefly. As for the semi or tractor trailer, I think we're more familiar with trailer lorry. Though if we look for semi trailer, you can still find some people use the words.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Nov 20
A great name for an airline! Another term for firefly is glowworm although I've never used it.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Nov 20
I've used both yard sale and Gerage sale, depending on who I'm talking to. Same with tractor trailer or semi.Though I have heard the term lightning bug, I've always thought of them as fireflies.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 Hmm.... didn't really think of that. Given I can't see that well, and they sound like a school bus, I always just called them what people around me would call them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Nov 20
Yes, garage and yard sales seem to be interchangeable. I think lightening bug might be associated more in the Northeast. I've always used that term.
Fun fact: In the South 18-Wheeler is commonly used in place of Semi or Tractor Trailer.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117211)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Nov 20
Well, I've always used 18 wheeler.
We don't get those kinds of bugs here so I've never had a reason to use either of those terms.
Both, lots of military families here so there could be signs for either. It's a used goods sale so who cares, right?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Oh yes, a popular term for semis used in the South 
Thanks!
Fun fact: Connecticut and Wisconsin are 2 states which refer to garage or yard sales as "Rummage or Tag" sales.
Thanks!
Fun fact: Connecticut and Wisconsin are 2 states which refer to garage or yard sales as "Rummage or Tag" sales.1 person likes this
@rebelann (117211)
• El Paso, Texas
16 Nov 20
It's rare to hear anyone here refer to rummage or tag sales @dgobucks226
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
19 Nov 20
@rebelann Unless your from Connecticut or Wisconsin 
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Nov 20
Often words can get confusing in this way, Very interesting info,
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Yes, and I forgot 18-wheeler for a tractor trailer
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
14 Nov 20
We say semi mostly, but tractor trailer also.
Firefly more than lightening bug.
Garage sale if they have a garage, and yard sale if they don't.
Growing up, what we call Hoodies now, we called kangaroo jackets. My cousins in Saskatchewan called them Bunny Hugs.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Nov 20
Ah, very cool addition to our vocab list Much appreciated!
Fun fact: Another term for lightening bug or firefly is "glowworms."
Much appreciated!
Fun fact: Another term for lightening bug or firefly is "glowworms."1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
14 Nov 20
Semis, lightning bugs and garage sales.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
15 Nov 20
Fun fact: In the South 18-Wheeler is commonly used in place of Semi or Tractor Trailer.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
14 Nov 20
why is it people have yard sales and then are out mowing the lawn they sold the next day?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Nov 20
I don't know? But it makes me wonder why we use the term Garage sale when we set up our display in the yard?
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
14 Nov 20
Yes you're correct and garage sale or yard sale doesn't mean anything in India because it's not popular
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Nov 20
Some U.S. states describe garage sale as "Rummage or Tag" sales. Do you have Flea markets or street vendor sales in India?
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
16 Nov 20
@dgobucks226 we have street vendors here
1 person likes this
