Randomness

**mcguy** · 7th February 2011, 12:00 AM

ear bud (plural ear buds):

1. An immature ear of maize from which the threadlike silks emerge
2. An underdeveloped mammalian ear
3. A small earphone designed for use with portable sound systems

Which of these are your cats taking out of the trash and chewing up??

Or is this more of that funny English' English?

**Helen & John** · 7th February 2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by NCarver

ear bud (plural ear buds):

1. An immature ear of maize from which the threadlike silks emerge
2. An underdeveloped mammalian ear
3. A small earphone designed for use with portable sound systems

Which of these are your cats taking out of the trash and chewing up??

Or is this more of that funny English' English?

It's a Q-Tip to our American English speakers!!!

**Jolly** · 7th February 2011, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Helen & John

It's a Q-Tip to our American English speakers!!!

Is that what they call it....i thought a Q-Tip was some kind of gynecology thing. Learn something new everyday.

**mcguy** · 7th February 2011, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Helen & John

It's a Q-Tip to our American English speakers!!!

Ah, thanks! Did not find that with a quickie search actually.

Originally Posted by Jolly

Is that what they call it....i thought a Q-Tip was some kind of gynecology thing. Learn something new everyday.

"Cotton swab" is our generic term, but most people call them Q-Tips after the dominant brand (as with Xeroxing for photocopying or Kleenex for a tissue).

The most common usage for ear bud these days is definitely to denote small earphones. So how do you English English speakers refer to small, in-ear earphones then?

**jopetportraits** · 9th February 2011, 02:08 PM

Mitch goes mad if he sees us get a cheese triangle out of the fridge as he loves to lick the empty wrapper.

Ally is a dab hand at emptying the bin in the bathroom and ear buds are his favourite too.

**Howlinbob** · 10th February 2011, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by NCarver

The most common usage for ear bud these days is definitely to denote small earphones. So how do you English English speakers refer to small, in-ear earphones then?

Erm, little earphones? Ear pieces? I don't have any, so hadn't really thought about it. Anyone else??

**Rachel-C** · 10th February 2011, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Howlinbob

Erm, little earphones? Ear pieces? I don't have any, so hadn't really thought about it. Anyone else??

I'd say probably earphones or in-ear headphones Louisa

As for the things they go mad for ... more cotton bud fans here, along with any old shopping receipts scrunched up, the sound of the keyring chain that the laser pen is on will have them running into the room within nano seconds - and the latest attraction - toilet rolls - especially nice new ones with lots of paper on them to shred

**Howlinbob** · 10th February 2011, 04:41 PM

Hehe Rachel, naughty naughty!

Well Monty's new trick, as of this week, is to jump onto my shoulders when I'm preparing their dinner, and chew my hair. He did it to his No 1 mum, (his breeder) when she came round to deliver a sack of RC food and have a cuppa. Then later on he did it to me. Then that evening a friend of ours popped round who we haven't seen for months, and Monty got on her back and chewed her hair! Luckily she has a dog and understands. "Get off Monty", I said. "I think he likes you!"

**Jolly** · 7th February 2011, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by NCarver

ear bud (plural ear buds):

1. An immature ear of maize from which the threadlike silks emerge
2. An underdeveloped mammalian ear
3. A small earphone designed for use with portable sound systems

Which of these are your cats taking out of the trash and chewing up??

Or is this more of that funny English' English?

LOL!

I'm off work today not feeling very well and this is the first thing that has made my actually laugh out loud today!!! Through all the coughing and sneezing this cheered me right up!

The answer is none of the above.

This is an earbud....

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