Tin = Can?

English translation: AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	Tin = Can?
Selected answer:	AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"
Entered by:	Dan McCrosky (X)

20:20 Oct 24, 2002

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]

English term or phrase: Tin = Can?

Is there any difference between "tin" and "can"?
Thanks!!

Nakina

AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

Explanation:
As several of us have tried to point out above, it is really a matter of North American (can't speak for Canada, so maybe it's just the U.S.) usage versus English native speaker usage in the rest of the world PLUS the liquidity or "drinkability" of the container contents.

Most Americans say:

"a can of beans" and "a can of beer".

Most English native speakers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. (unless they have been too Americanated) say:

"a tin of beans" and "a can of beer".

HTH

Dan

Selected response from:

Dan McCrosky (X)
Local time: 06:33

Grading comment

Hi!
I wanted to know their use in the every day context and if there was a AE/BE difference. I will try to be clearer next time!
Thanks for helping me!!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +7

yes, there can be

Jennie Sherrick, MA

5 +3

tin--british english, can-american english

Mura

5 +3

tin=british can=american

Drak

3 +4

Nikita Kobrin

1 +5

AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

Dan McCrosky (X)

3 +1

Yes and no

Ariser

not really, but

Klaus Dorn (X)

Answers

5 mins confidence:

not really, but

Explanation:
tin and can are exactly the same, as long as we talking a certain type of tin and can, namely those you can open with a tin- or can-opener, in this case, I think, "can" is US English, the other British English.

If we're talking about a different type of tin, for example a "roasting tin" (which is where you prepare your thanksgiving turkey or any chicken amongstother things), we couldn't use the word can for that...

Klaus Dorn (X)
Local time: 07:33
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in pair: 35

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

*

Explanation:
Tin(British and Australian) is a small closed metal container, usually cylindrical, in which food or other substances are sold.

can is a closed metal container, esp. a cylindrical one in which some types of drink and food are sold

Cambridge International Dictionary of English

Nikita Kobrin
Lithuania
Local time: 07:33
Native speaker of:

Russian
PRO pts in pair: 35

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +7

yes, there can be

Explanation:
there can be a difference, depending on the context.

If you say "tin can", that means there is a difference. The can is made out of "tin", which is:

1 : a soft faintly bluish white lustrous low-melting crystalline metallic element that is malleable and ductile at ordinary temperatures and that is used as a protective coating, in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys see ELEMENT table

However, if you use it on its own (see below: "a tin of tomatoes"), then it is a metal container (which could be a can).

2 a : a box, can, pan, vessel, or a sheet made of tinplate; broadly : such a container of any metal (as aluminum) b : a metal container and its contents *a tin of tomatoes*
–tin adjective
–tinful \-*f*l\ noun

Definitions from Merriam-Webster

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-10-24 20:31:46 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Likewise, a \"can\" is (for multiple contexts):

1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle: a : a vessel for holding liquids; specifically : a drinking vessel b : a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding milk or trash) c : a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use d : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
2 : JAIL
3 a : TOILET b : BATHROOM 1
4 : BUTTOCKS
5 : DESTROYER 2

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-10-24 20:50:17 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As crumpler points out below, I\'m thinking more along the lines of in what context \"tin\" and \"can\" are being used and whether they are together in the context, and not necessarily on whether it is a difference between of meaning in AE or BE, although I\'m not denying the relevance of that either.

Reference: http://www.m-w.com/

Jennie Sherrick, MA
United States
Local time: 00:33
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 8

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

Yes and no

Explanation:
Tin is a container made of tinplate. Also used more broadly as container in any metal.
A can is a receptacle in general.

Tin can: can made of tinplate

Reference: http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Ariser
Native speaker of:

Dutch,

English
PRO pts in pair: 20

12 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

tin--british english, can-american english

Explanation:
They mean the same thing but one is a british (tin) and another an american (can) noun.

Tin (noun)1. a. A vessel made of tin, or more usually of tinned iron; spec. a vessel in which meat, fish, fruit, etc., is hermetically sealed for preservation (= can n.1 3); locally, a small cylindrical drinking vessel or mug with a handle.
2. a. One of the well-known metals, nearly approaching silver in whiteness and lustre, highly malleable and taking
a high polish; used in the manufacture of articles of block tin, in the formation of alloys, as bronze, pewter, etc.

Can (noun)-- 1. a. A vessel for holding liquids; formerly used of vessels of various materials, shapes, and sizes, including drinking-vessels; now generally restricted to vessels of tin or other metal, mostly larger than a drinking-vessel, and usually cylindrical in form, with a handle over the top.

Used OED to come up with definitions.

Mura
United States
Local time: 00:33

17 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

tin=british can=american

Explanation:
I think we got too far away from the practical implications of the original questions. In practical terms, one is British and the other is American and both look the same.

Drak
PRO pts in pair: 7

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

neutral

Bryan Crumpler: the idea of it being a question of AE vs BE is wrong... we use both, just a matter of context

4 mins

-> Perhaps you are right. But, then again, I have never heard anyone in the US say "tin of beans" either...

agree

Norman (X): Crumpler is simply wrong - in the everyday context, your answer is correct, and it most certainly hinges on BE v. AE

1 hr

-> Yes. That was the way I understood the question.

agree

NancyLynn

5 hrs

agree

Marion Burns: Let's keep it simple. This is surely BE v. AE. See my remark above.

5 hrs

neutral

Heather Starastin: I thought this at first too, but on reflection, we talk about cans of drink in the UK.

8 hrs

-> Was the term "can" used in England before the Coca-Cola came in from America?

13 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

Dan McCrosky (X)
Local time: 06:33
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 18

Grading comment

Hi!
I wanted to know their use in the every day context and if there was a AE/BE difference. I will try to be clearer next time!
Thanks for helping me!!!

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Tin = Can?

English translation: AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

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Tin = Can?

English translation: AE: "a can of beans" and "a can of beer" - BE: "a tin of beans" and "a can of beer"

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