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Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
plumbers, electricians, carpenters, carpetlayers etc. In the UK we'd call 'em "tradesmen". Does that work for you too?
Help a translator out here, plz x
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- glatt
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
If you said tradesmen, we would know what you are talking about, but I think we might say "craftsman" first.
I hear "working in the trades" more than I hear "tradesman." It just sounds a little funny.
"Contractor" is also a big one, although that usually means someone who hires other craftsmen as well as doing work on their own.
Or maybe "blue collar workers." might be used. But that encompasses factory workers more.
- Clodfobble
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
For a translation, contractor works, but in practice I'd always say the kind of worker they are.
- Limey
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Thanks folks x
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Thread Starter- glatt
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Home Depot refers to them as "pros" or "contractors" and they get their own entrance and cash registers.
- TheNeverWas
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Around here we say that all those folks (except the carpet layers) "work construction", or "work in construction". Carpet layers "do floors".
Otherwise they're just plumbers, electricians, & carpenters.
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- Flint
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
If someone was in construction I might say they are "in the trades" .. I don't know if I've ever said "tradesmen"
If someone is doing residential repair/remodel work "in a trade" I would call them a contractor, notwithstanding whatever legal/contractual specificity that implies
And then there's the unlicensed "contractor" and that's called a handyman.
If you're working in a trade within an organization, that might be "plant operations" or "engineering" or "facilities"
Last edited by Flint (4/22/2022 3:28 pm)
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
hey, 'merkins.. following on from that, do all y'all ever use the term "tradesman's entrance"?
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- glatt
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
"tradesman's entrance," huh? Is that a euphemism?
- Flint
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
the, uh tradesman's entrance
that is, around back .?
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- monster
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
A tradesman should never call at the front door of a residence.
and, why yes, yes I believe it might be
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart
- Flint
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
it's important to use good manners, of course
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- footfootfoot
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Sorry I'm late.
As a person who has worked in the trades and with tradesmen for a long time, albeit off and on, You will hear people in the trades say that they are "in the trades" Individually and generally they are called "tradesmen" unless their particular trade is referred to, "He's a plumber." Unskilled tradesmen are usually referred to as "Laborers" and that can include anyone in any trade who is doing the shitty grunt work.
I've heard people say "the building trade" but I'm not sure what other trade they are excluding by the distinction.
Contractor generally means the person who is coordinating all the sub-contractors and trades on behalf of the client.
The term here is "Service Entrance" and "Service Elevator" and that includes pretty much everyone and everything who isn't a resident or guest; tradesmen, furniture being moved in or out...
Last edited by footfootfoot (4/25/2022 3:51 pm)
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
glatt wrote:
Home Depot refers to them as "pros" or "contractors" and they get their own entrance and cash registers.
Life pro tip: You can use the pro's entrance and register. You can even check out at the service desk most of the time. It's just theater to make "pros" feel like they are getting something special. Although very often the pro register is slower than the regular one when it comes your turn.
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Last edited by tw (4/25/2022 5:05 pm)
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Re: Hey, Murricans! What is the American generic term for ...
Home Depot refers to them as "pros" or "contractors" and they get their own entrance and cash registers.
Life pro tip: You can use the pro's entrance and register. You can even check out at the service desk most of the time. It's just theater to make "pros" feel like they are getting something special. Although very often the pro register is slower than the regular one when it comes your turn.
In addition to your own entrance and cashier another perk is buy shit in the morning with a company check and bring a couple pieces back in the afternoon for a cash refund. Home Depot and Lowes.
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