Casket and a coffin

PHB   Monday, February 16, 2004, 18:00 GMT
What is the difference between a casket and a coffin.
to PHB   Monday, February 16, 2004, 18:39 GMT
The pronunciation.
PHP   Monday, February 16, 2004, 18:45 GMT
I mean are they two different things? Some people say they are.
Boy   Monday, February 16, 2004, 18:58 GMT
Casket:
1) Box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
2) Small and often ornate box for holding jewels or other valuables


Coffin:
1) Box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
mjd   Monday, February 16, 2004, 19:55 GMT
While caskets and coffins both hold corpses, they're shaped differently. A casket is like a rectangular box whereas a coffin gets narrower towards the bottom.

picture of a coffin: http://www.vintagecoffins.com/

pictures of caskets: http://funeraldepot.com/caskets1.htm
Paul   Tuesday, February 17, 2004, 15:04 GMT
My connotation for casket is that it is generally smaller and less clumbersome to carry than a coffin.
But they serve the same function
Adam   Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 00:29 GMT
There is NO difference between a casket and a coffin. Casket is the American English world for a coffin. Brits say coffin and Americans say casket.
John   Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 00:33 GMT
the word ''coffin'' is also used in America.
mjd   Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 00:43 GMT
Adam,

You're wrong. There is a difference, at least here in the U.S. The word (coffin) exists here in the U.S. too. I suggest you take a look at the links I provided and compare the two.