this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2024
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Mildly Interesting

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This is for strictly mildly interesting material. If it's too interesting, it doesn't belong. If it's not interesting, it doesn't belong.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 82 points 2 months ago (4 children)

I know it's proper usage of the word accumulators, but I've basically never heard anyone refer to them that way.

Are you a part of the Borg by any chance, OP? ๐Ÿ™‚

[โ€“] [email protected] 42 points 2 months ago (4 children)

Sorry, English is not my mothertongue. How would you reformulate the title in proper English?

[โ€“] [email protected] 82 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Small cylinder batteries are just called "batteries" in English. If you mean the type that you can charge, we call those "rechargeable batteries". People will infer that you mean the cylinders even though usb batteries are also rechargeable (I'd call that an "internal battery").

I like the sound of accumulator more though. In English that word is usually reserved for hydraulics or electrical engineers

[โ€“] [email protected] 34 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[โ€“] [email protected] 26 points 2 months ago (1 children)

They might not even be disposable batteries, they could be rechargeable batteries.

Generally people just say the size of the battery like "AAs". Or if you're weird the type like "alkaline batteries" or "nimh"

[โ€“] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

I was trying to ask a Spanish speaker if their cell phone battery store had D batteries. It was very confusing. They ended up calling someone (I assume their boss) who spoke English for me to ask.

[โ€“] [email protected] 22 points 2 months ago

I think this is awesome, don't change your verbiage, it was just interesting. Thank you for sharing! I got some cultural experience today.

[โ€“] Assman 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

And what is your mothertongue?

[โ€“] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Is it, though? Accumulators are rechargeable by definition. Disposable batteries are, well, disposable.

[โ€“] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

I don't know that accumulators have to be rechargeable, just an object that collects (even if only at its initial charge) and stores energy.

It's just not a term I hear often, and I thought it was interesting. I like also hearing about how other countries use the term, it's enlightening. I didn't realize that it is the primary term to refer to a battery in several countries.

[โ€“] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

Not to hold it against them, but they are European judging by the wall sockets.