[Vocabulary] I want to fill my cup at a drinking fountain

[LiuJing]

I want to fill my cup at a drinking fountain-----

If somebody says 'I want to fill my cup with some fountain water', does that mean the same as above?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

I want to fill my cup at a drinking fountain-----

If somebody say 'I want to fill my cup with some fountain water', does that mean the same as above?

Thank you.

Not really, no! "Fountain water" would suggest to me the water which collects in the pool around a large public, decorative fountain. A "drinking fountain" is different and I think it's important to specify.

 

[LiuJing]

Not really, no! "Fountain water" would suggest to me the water which collects in the pool around a large public, decorative fountain. A "drinking fountain" is different and I think it's important to specify.

I have the same feeling as you do. However, I did hear today someone said on TV ' you can fill your cup with the fountain water' to mean 'there is a drinking fountain nearby and you can go to fill your cup there' and I did not think it was right. That was why this thread was created. Thank you.

 

[Raymott]

I have the same feeling as you do. However, I did hear today someone said on TV ' you can fill your cup with the fountain water' to mean 'there is a drinking fountain nearby and you can go to fill your cup there' and I did not think it was right. That was why this thread was created. Thank you.

People don't talk out of context.
If you're standing next to a water fountain, and said "I'm going to fill my cup from the fountain", you would not expect a lecture about the dangers of fountain water.

 

[Ouisch]

If you're near a drinking fountain and it's clear that that is where you'd like to fill your cup, then "filling it with fountain water" would be correct and understood. However, if the point of your question is to find out if there is a drinking fountain nearby from which you can fill your cup, then "fountain water" might be misunderstood. In the US, for example, the name of that device varies from state to state - some places call it a "water fountain," some call it a "drinking fountain," some call it a "bubbler," etc. So to be completely clear it would be best to ask "Is there a water fountain nearby where I can fill up my cup?"