In British English, this is called a 'torch'...

[Ed]

In British English, this is called a 'torch', or sometimes a 'flashlight'...



What do Americans call it? Any help appreciated -- thanks

[Geoff_N]

I can't see the pic, Ed, but I know my yankee pals use flashlights to see in the dark.

I sometimes use this site when I'm writing American characters
http://www.bg-map.com/us-uk.html

Geoff

[Rook]

Okay, the picture is just a little red X for me at the moment, but--

I am fairly sure what you Brits call a torch, we call a flashlight. 

That is (following stolen from Wikipedia)-- flashlight (usually called a torch outside North America) is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode (LED). Typical flashlight designs consist of the light source mounted in a reflector, a lens to protect the light source and reflector, a power source (typically batteries), and a switch.

But, I tend to use a lantern. You know, we're a bit backwards in the colonies...

 

[Ed]

OK, thanks, both -- I just remember the funny looks I got from Americans when I referred to using a torch. It seemed they pictured a flaming torch and thought we were somewhat backward over here. I didn't want to use the wrong one in my story and have the editor saying WTF's this guy on?

That site is useful, Geoff -- thanks for the link

[elay2433]

Thats a flashlight for sure, Ed. I couldn't see the picture either but when I followed the url I could see it. The first time I remeber hearing "torch" in reference to a "flashlight" was here on the forum I'm pretty sure. In one crit session or another. It was a contemporary story, but upon reading "torch" I wasn't so sure - I thought perhaps it was set in another time before the invention of "flashlights".  It took a bit to realize that that was the word for flashlight over there.

[Pharosian]

The first word I thought of when I saw the picture was "Maglite," which is a specific brand of flashlight (aka torch). If I'm not mistaken, Maglites are heavier than average and built to last. It might be useful to use sometimes instead of the generic "flashlight," depending on your character.

You can see a bunch of examples using Google Images.

[Ed]

Cool, thanks.

Another one I'm not quite sure about is what your word is for underpants, or briefs, in Amerenglish. When we talk about 'pants' over here we mean underpants, not trousers, or slacks.

I've got a character who's looking for his clothes, and I'm not sure what to call his underpants. I suppose I could go with 'boxers', but I'm not sure they were around in the nineteen-fifties

[Pharosian]

We just say "underwear." According to Wikipedia, the term boxer shorts has been in use in English since 1944.

[Ed]

Thanks for that

I've actually finished the story tonight. Not sure I'm completely happy with the ending, but it's a relief to start and finish a story in a relatively short period of time, even if it is a bit too late for this month's crit session. Haven't done that for quite a while.

[desertwomble]

Thanks for that

I've actually finished the story tonight. Not sure I'm completely happy with the ending, but it's a relief to start and finish a story in a relatively short period of time, even if it is a bit too late for this month's crit session. Haven't done that for quite a while.

Hope the ending isn't pants, Ed - or trousers!

DW

[Ed]

Yeah, me too. The whole thing might be complete pants, yet. Hard to say at this stage