trash bin

[keannu]

Are these the only words used for wastebasket?
Do you say "garbage/trash bin" as well in America?
Which is the most commonly used term in the USA and the US respectively?

(Am) wastebasket, (Am) garbage[trash] can, (Brit) dust bin, (Brit) litter[rubbish, waste] bin

 

[jutfrank]

The appropriate word to use depends on the exact kind of receptacle you mean. If you post some pictures, we'll be able to tell you the best word to use for each variety of English.

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't think "trash bin" is colloquial anywhere. I associate "trash" with AmE and "bin" with BrE.

Here in the UK, a waste paper basket should be called that only if it's actually a basket! Otherwise, it's just called a rubbish bin. We also have rubbish bins in our kitchens (sometimes called a kitchen bin) and outside our houses (also just a rubbish bin). Some streets have huge bins (dumpsters in AmE) into which everyone deposits their rubbish. These are usually called "communal waste/rubbish bins".

 

[Skrej]

It will vary by region, but size is also a factor in the naming. For me, 'bins' are larger sized receptacles, such as those 40-50 gallon sized ones you see for outdoor use, but that's just likely my own tendency.

'Cans', 'baskets', 'pails', and 'buckets' are smaller, although 'can' is sort of a generic term for any size as well.

The terms 'trash', 'waste', and 'garbage' are paired with the receptacle term, but again vary by region and personal preference.

One person's trash can is another person's wastebasket is another person's garbage pail.

 

[GoesStation]

I never use bin for a covered, vaguely cylindrical container for trash or garbage (never "rubbish"), including the big, rolling, 50-gallon trash can I drag to the end of the lane on Thursday evenings. Low, rectangular, open containers we use for recycling and for storage are bins to my southwest Ohio ears.

 

[J&K Tutoring]

One of my personal favorites: The Round File.

 

[emsr2d2]

When I was in the Civil Service, throwing some kind of paper (a report, a memo etc) in the bin was referred to as "filed locally".

 

[Tdol]

I have heard filed under B with the same meaning- b for bin.

 

[Skrej]

I don't personally use it much, but the version I'm familiar with is File 13.

 

[Tdol]

That's new to me.

 

[Skrej]

Wikipedia (for what that's worth) suggests file 13 is primarily AmE.

That's kind of an amusing tidbit about the music video, though. Sure enough, there are guys with 13 on their hats starting about 2:18. :lol:

 

[keannu]

It will vary by region, but size is also a factor in the naming. For me, 'bins' are larger sized receptacles, such as those 40-50 gallon sized ones you see for outdoor use, but that's just likely my own tendency.

'Cans', 'baskets', 'pails', and 'buckets' are smaller, although 'can' is sort of a generic term for any size as well.

The terms 'trash', 'waste', and 'garbage' are paired with the receptacle term, but again vary by region and personal preference.

One person's trash can is another person's wastebasket is another person's garbage pail.

basket -> can -> bin

Even though the terms can vary by region, I think generally 'basket" is the smallest and "bin" is middle to big sizes, "can" seems to be for any size according to the pictures found on the internet. If my understanding is wrong, please let me know.

 

[keannu]

I don't think "trash bin" is colloquial anywhere. I associate "trash" with AmE and "bin" with BrE.

Here in the UK, a waste paper basket should be called that only if it's actually a basket! Otherwise, it's just called a rubbish bin. We also have rubbish bins in our kitchens (sometimes called a kitchen bin) and outside our houses (also just a rubbish bin). Some streets have huge bins (dumpsters in AmE) into which everyone deposits their rubbish. These are usually called "communal waste/rubbish bins".

Do they not say "wastebasket" in the UK? According to the dictionary, only "bins" seems to be used in the UK.

 

[emsr2d2]

Do they not say "wastebasket" in the UK?

I would say no. It's "waste paper basket". If you remove "paper", it just sounds wrong!