I’m a southerner, but recently noticed I’m the only one who seems to say “tin” rather than “can”. I think I got it from my Dad, who’s from Birmingham. Meanwhile, my Mum (from Winchester) prefers “can”.
Which do you/people in your area tend to prefer and is this a regional thing?
EDIT: It has come to my attention that I should probably have been more specific. I’m talking about the container that beans, soup, and other foodstuffs are sold in, not the many other uses for both of these words. Thanks for all the wonderful comments though, they gave me a good laugh!
Tin of beans
Can of beer
Can of drink and tin of food … this is the way
Can of beans and a tinny?
Tin of beans and a canny
(Not really)
I think you tinnot use them interchanebly at all
I’m from South-West Scotland, and I’d say tin for drinks and for food. A metallic container of Coca-Cola is “a tin of juice”.
I can I can’t??
Tin: probably food but can be a drink if specified
Can: probably a drink but can be food if specified
Tinnie: beerDialects are weird, right? But, personally, if I’m referring to the fictional Belgian adventurer I say tin; if it’s the French burlesque dance routine it’s can.
American expat in Scotland. I say can. But I understand tin.