Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 33 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 3380 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Does fill mean full?

ebee
If I fill something does that mean simply getting some substance and putting it into a container i.e a cup of water into an empty sink or does it usually mean filling such sink to the top?

In other words however many (or few) cupsfull are poured in it is filling or is it only a filling action if totally filled at the end of the procedure?
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:




    ebee:

    OK to put it another way then.

    "do not fill with xxx" does that mean do not put any xxx in or alternatively does it mean put some in so long as you do not fill it up to/near the top with xxx




     

    I would go with do not put any xxx in.


    Andy B.

     




     

    In case of ambiguity or lack of clarity, better to go for the perceived safer option. But really it is a case of clear usage of plain English.  If the intention is "Do not put any xxx in," then say so directly and do not use the word "fill". Of course, clarity can sometimes be lost in translation from another language.
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    Full is not brimming full.


    Andy B.




     

    Normally yes. One odd exception is beer, which because of some ancient law must be sold that way. This is tough on those who like to see a head because it indicates something about the quality of the beer; they will need to put up with short measure. Tough on those who are unsteady on their feet and fearful of floors slippery because of drops of beer from brimful glasses. Health and safety regulations do not seem to apply in pubs.


    So "fill" means put in as much as you would normally expect the container to hold.


    In some things it means filled to a capacity determined by number of finite positions available, e.g. "house full" means all seats in the theatre have been taken. Bringing this back to wiring and regulations, one could say a consumer unit is full if all its available sub-circuit connections have been wired.
  • 0

    Denis McMahon:




    Sparkingchip:

    Full is not brimming full.




     

    Normally yes. One odd exception is beer, which because of some ancient law must be sold that way. This is tough on those who like to see a head because it indicates something about the quality of the beer; they will need to put up with short measure. Tough on those who are unsteady on their feet and fearful of floors slippery because of drops of beer from brimful glasses. Health and safety regulations do not seem to apply in pubs.


    So "fill" means put in as much as you would normally expect the container to hold.


    In some things it means filled to a capacity determined by number of finite positions available, e.g. "house full" means all seats in the theatre have been taken. Bringing this back to wiring and regulations, one could say a consumer unit is full if all its available sub-circuit connections have been wired.


    If a container is not full to the brim, it is not full according to OED's definition. However, beer is sold by volume and may be dispensed in an oversized glass, usually 24 oz, so long as it is marked at the 1pt level. Such a glass would not be full.

  • 0

    Chris Pearson:




    ebee:

    ... "wait while the trains come" ...




    In the same manner, "Warning - delays until January 2021" does not mean that there will be the same cars queuing at the roadworks for the next year, but it is badly drafted because it could do so.


    Just be careful with people on the autistic spectrum and children because they may take things too literally.


    Remember Epaminondas? ?


     




     

    In a village near me there is a road sign which reads (from top to bottom): "DEAD CHILDREN PLAYING SLOW".


    I think it must have been designed by a yuppy with a degree in art.
  • 0
    Some road signs seem to be designed to be confusing.  I know of a number of signs that read from top to bottom  "End of 30 Zone" that actually means start of 30 mph limit.  Locals are used to it, but strangers are easily caught out.


    David
  • 0

    AJJewsbury:


    . . .  - my favourite is "use both lanes" - I'm sure they meant user either lane....


       - Andy.

     



    Then there is the sign we sometimes see: "Keep to nearside lane unless overtaking."


    "Nearside"? Near to what? I wonder what those whose first language is not English make of that. We become so used to jargon like this that we take it for granted. What is wrong with plain English? Why not "Keep to left lane," if this is what is meant?


    Also there are those signs that state lane closure 800 yards ahead and indicate which lane is closed. This is an example of giving precise information about  a situation but no guidance on how one should act. Motorists generally interpret this in one of two ways.
    • Nice of them to give us plenty of warning. I'll assess the traffic ahead and move (if necessary) into the open lane at a suitable opportunity.

    • They are telling us this now so we must do something now. Pile into the open lane, everyone. Drive close together so that "queue jumpers" in the wrong lane can't get in front of us.


    This difference in interpretation cause much aggro. Things often seem to work better where there is no warning of a lane closure ahead. In these cases drivers form two queues up to the point of closure and politely merge alternately there.
  • 0
    Sign in Supermarkets "This door is alarmed" .......... but ah ken whit ye mean Jimmy ?


    Jaymack
  • 0

    Jaymack:

    Sign in Supermarkets "This door is alarmed" .......... but ah ken whit ye mean Jimmy ?




    Give it a Valium!


    Rather similar to, "The French are revolting" (which they have been doing ever since 1789). ?

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    "This door must be kept closed at all times"


    Or gate


    Regards


    BOD
  • 0

    perspicacious:

    "This door must be kept closed at all times"


    Or gate




    Ah yes, but one might be able to jump (if v. athletic) or climb over, or even around a gate. Did it all the time as a student! Too old now. ?‍♂️

Community Rules & Guidelines