It's my understanding that 'rubbish' is the preferred form in the UK, 'trash' in the US (garbage is used here in Canada). Any exceptions or other interesting information?
Rubbish/trash/garbage
Yes, 'rubbish' is the preferred form in the UK. I do hear 'trashy' used frequently but that's probably more down to my taste in girls (or lack of taste).
AS Brennus states trash was originally an English word that generally fell out of use and as been reintroduced over the last 30 years. Garbage is also a word that originates in England, but in the 17th Century it was used to describe entrails - you may see English books talking about removing the garbage from rabbits before cooking.
I think garbage and trash are used pretty interchangeably in the US -- ther's no real preference. Rubbish is a lot less common.
In Australia we generally use "rubbish" or "garbage". "Trash" is not so common.
>>I think garbage and trash are used pretty interchangeably in the US -- ther's no real preference. Rubbish is a lot less common.<<
I have to say that the pattern here definitely follows such, except that the word "rubbish" is not simply less common than the words "trash" and "garbage" here but rather is practically never used at all here.
I have to say that the pattern here definitely follows such, except that the word "rubbish" is not simply less common than the words "trash" and "garbage" here but rather is practically never used at all here.
You hear it every once in a while, and we know what it means. But it's not part of normal conversation, usually.
I've heard that "rubbish" is used in New England, but not very often elsewhere!
Rubbish is used all the time in England. Some examples: 'I have to take out the rubbish', 'Put the leftovers in the rubbish bin', 'that was a rubbish film', 'England are rubbish at football',' I'm a rubbish dancer', I'm rubbish at dancing (I'm not really) etc etc. I love the word rubbish, surely it is more versatile than 'trash' and 'garbage'. I'm sad to hear it is not used elsewhere.
Ok, I have been posting a tad too much for my liking. Night night.
Ok, I have been posting a tad too much for my liking. Night night.
In New England where I live, "trash" is usually only used when discribing something really stupid or foolish, like, "Get rid of that digusting trash!" Or, "What I stupid piece of trash" when describing a person! But garbage is used about 90% of the time, rubbish is used a bit also.
Rubbish sounds like some kind of vegetable to my ear. I use only garbage (and sometimes trash)