Correct Language: "Run" or "Draw" a bath

[Welshbird]

I'd appreciate some help to settle a discussion in my office.

I was always taught that one 'drew' a bath, but I'm in a minority here. Everyone else thinks that one 'runs' a bath.

Apparently my version just implies that I'm posh! (surely not)

What do you think guys?

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[KenCunningham]

Fee, just to add to the mix, I use 'fill'.

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[flapeyre]

Take" a bath (but that's more than just filling the tub with water).

Moe: "Did you take a bath?"
Shemp: Whay? Is there one missing?"

Tibi gratias agimus quod nihil fumas.

 

[SF0751]

When I hear the phrase "draw a bath", I picture someone filling the bathtub for another person. "Running a bath" is for yourself. "Taking a bath" is the actual "cleaning with soap and water" activity.

Susan
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work." - Thomas A. Edison

 

[Welshbird]

Ah - OK. Thanks Susan. That might be it.

(Doh - I wanted to be right!)

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[sleipnir214]

Since we draw water from wells, but water runs from a faucet, I'm wondering if this is a change of metaphor to match a change in technology.



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[Welshbird]

Shucks. You're just saying I'm old fashioned then....

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[Lunatic]

Is this just a British English question? Both 'draw a bath' and 'run a bath' make me think of Little House on the Prarie and life in the days of pioneers. A mostly archaic phrase that is usually only used by those who would like to sound cultured.

Of course, you must remember this is coming from a country-grown kid on the west coast of the US. Maybe we're just a uncultured lot ;p

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum

 

[columb]

For me (50's, British, Thames valley, minor public school upbringing) 'draw' and 'run' are synonyms but 'draw' is increasingly archaic. I'm pretty sure that my wife (similar age (don't ask!), Northern British convent school upbringing) has never 'drawn' a bath in her life.

Ceci n'est pas une signature
Columb Healy

 

[Ladyazh]

sleipnir's was a keeper I guess.
"draw water from wells, but water runs from a faucet"
so drawing is archaic and running is a modern way of filling tub with water.

 

[AnotherHiggins]

Both 'draw a bath' and 'run a bath' make me think of Little House on the Prarie [sic.] and life in the days of pioneers. A mostly archaic phrase that is usually only used by those who would like to sound cultured.

So how would you request that someone fill up the bath tub for you? Or how would you describe to someone else that you are filling up the bathtub?

Granted, you could just use the phrase, "fill(ing) up the bathtub", but that is a bit lengthy. My point is that I don't think either phrase sounds highfalutin.
__

In the interest of full disclosure, let me just say that I don't take baths. The concept has always disgusted me. Basically you are just soaking in your own filth. Kind of like dirt soup, and you're the meat.

I wouldn't be opposed to taking a bath after taking a shower.

[tt]_____
[blue]-John[/blue][/tt]
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[Welshbird]

(John - that's one of my favourite 'relaxings' at the end of a tough week. Draw a hot bath, shower with a loofah first, then soak....)

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[Ladyazh]

Why am I suddently feeling like if I was watching HBO's Rome?

 

[2ffat]

OK. How about draw the curtains as opposed to close the curtains?

There used to be a book series about a country girl who always made mistakes because she misinterprets what people say. I think her name was Amelia Badelia or something like that. In one book, she literally drew a picture of curtain or a bath instead of closing the curtains or filling a bathtub.


James P. Cottingham
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^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[AnotherHiggins]

Ladyazh,

I've never seen Rome, let me on the joke.

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[KornGeek]

Personally, when asking one of my kids to fill the tub with water, I say "start the bath water."

In my mind, SF0751's definitions seem to fit with my ideas, but I tend not to use either term.

 

[ESquared]

fill the bathtub" here

 

[Welshbird]

Maybe everyone is correct when they tell me I use old-fashioned language then.

{{{{{sob}}}}}}}} maybe I'm just getting old.

I remain your most faithful servant,

F.WILLIF Esq.....

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[SF0751]

Old-fashioned - never! Posh - maybe.......


Susan
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work." - Thomas A. Edison

 

[Ladyazh]

anotherhiggins,
no joke. Just a lot of scenes where Romans taking a bath and drawing of it prior to taking by slaves. Beautiful! But not so anymore after reading your take on bath taking. OMG! I will now see those royal b*tts swimming in ther own dirt!
And what should I make of the petals in the water? GEEEZ!!!! Thankyouverymuch)