Results: Can . . . the Little Word with Many Meanings
Published on 01/25/2022
I mostly define "can" as "am able to" or "a food/drink container". But it has many meanings.
QUESTIONS
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1.
1.
Which of the following definitions for "can" do you use? Please select all that apply. Am able to, as in, "I can cut your hair now".
62%
1562 votes
Receptacle for trash, as in, "Toss that into the can".
49%
1225 votes
Cylindrical container, as in, "He bought a can of peas and some cans of beer".
56%
1410 votes
The act of preserving fruit or vegetables in a jar, as in, "We'll can the peaches tomorrow".
49%
1230 votes
When a film or videotape is completed and ready for release, as in, "The movie is in the can".
20%
506 votes
A pail, as in, "I got a new watering can for my potted plants".
40%
1002 votes
I don't use the word "can" in these ways in speech or writing.
7%
167 votes
N/A
18%
439 votes
2.
2.
Which of the following SLANG definitions for "can" do you use? Please select all that apply. Being fired from employment, as in, "If you're late again, the boss will can you".
39%
983 votes
Putting a stop to something, as in, "Can the rude comments!"
23%
574 votes
To make a recording of, as in, "The producers of the comedy decided to can the laughter".
16%
410 votes
Derriere, as in, "He's about to kick your can to the curb".
24%
595 votes
Headphones, as in, "He wore the cans to avoid listening to squabbling".
6%
143 votes
Toilet, as in, "He went to the can".
34%
856 votes
Jail, as in, "He spent 3 days in the can".
19%
481 votes
I don't use the word "can" in any of these ways in speech or writing.
21%
525 votes
N/A
21%
530 votes
3.
3.
Say it twice, and you've got can-can, the lively and risque dance that started in Parisian dance halls and variety shows in the mid-1800's. "Cancan", meaning "scandal" in French slang, featured a line of female dancers known for skirt waving, high kicks, cartwheels, and showing a lot of leg. What is your experience with the can-can dance? Please choose all that apply. I have danced the can-can as part of a show.
6%
150 votes
I have seen the can-can danced as part of a show, in person.
17%
418 votes
I have seen the can-can danced in a movie, online, or on TV.
42%
1042 votes
I've never seen the can-can.
10%
259 votes
I've never heard of the can-can.
8%
212 votes
N/A
26%
648 votes
I have danced the can-can just fooling around.
13%
315 votes
I have seen the can-can danced by someone just fooling around, in person.
11%
277 votes
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