etymology - Why is home electricity supply called "mains"?
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 …
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 …
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", …
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 …
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 …
What is the correct way to say that the electricity has come back …
Aug 27, 2015 · PG&E, the utility that provides electricity in the San Francisco Bay Area, always announces after a blackout that "Service has been restored to the affected areas." But users …
Unusual words used to denote a specific length of time?
Sep 23, 2022 · I'm looking for unusual/uncommon words that refer to a period of time. Something like fortnight: (chiefly UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, dated in North America) …
grammaticality - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
1909 G. GREIG Mains's Wooin' 6 He's swallowed the dictionar', min, an's tryin' to get 'er aff o's stammack. a1922 T. S. ELIOT Waste Land Drafts (1971) 5 The reputation the place gets, off …
"Electronic" vs. "electric" - English Language & Usage Stack …
Jun 26, 2011 · An electrician can't just hook it up to the power mains. At some point along the complexity spectrum a device ceases to be merely electric and becomes electronic. Note: I …
capitalization - Should it be "Happy Birthday!" or "Happy birthday ...
I've always simply written it "Happy birthday!" but my wife recently said that "Birthday" should be capitalized as well. What's grammatically correct?