Bubbler
Meaning: A water fountain or drinking fountain — the New England term for the public water dispenser.
In parts of New England (especially Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin), the drinking fountain is called a 'bubbler.' It comes from the way the water bubbles up from the spout. This is one of the most distinctive regional vocabulary items in American English — guaranteed to identify someone as being from New England.
Examples
- Is there a bubbler around here? I'm dying of thirst. 这附近有饮水台吗?我快渴死了。¿Hay una fuente de agua por aquí? Me muero de sed.この辺に水飲み場ある?喉カラカラなんだ。이 근처에 음수대(버블러) 있어? 목이 말라 죽겠어.
- The kids were pushing each other to get to the bubbler after recess. 课间休息后,孩子们挤着抢饮水台。Los niños se empujaban para llegar a la fuente de agua después del recreo.昼休みの後、子供たちが水飲み場に殺到して押し合いしてた。쉬는 시간이 끝나고 아이들이 음수대에 서로 밀치며 몰려들었다.
- I moved to California and nobody knew what I meant by bubbler. 我搬到加利福尼亚后,说bubbler没人听得懂。Me mudé a California y nadie sabía a qué me refería con 'bubbler'.カリフォルニアに引っ越したら、bubblerって言っても誰も分からなかった。캘리포니아로 이사했더니 'bubbler'라고 해도 아무도 못 알아들었어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: schools, public spaces, daily life
Tone: casual, everyday
✓ Do Say
- Where's the bubbler?饮水台在哪儿?¿Dónde está la fuente de agua?水飲み場どこ?버블러 어디 있어?
- Get a drink from the bubbler.去饮水台喝口水。Bebe un poco de agua de la fuente.水飲み場で水飲んできなさい。버블러에서 물 마셔.
✗ Don't Say
- Outside New England (and Wisconsin), nobody uses this term — say 'water fountain' or 'drinking fountain' to be understood在新英格兰(和威斯康星州)以外,没人用这个词——说'water fountain'或'drinking fountain'才能被理解Fuera de Nueva Inglaterra (y Wisconsin), nadie usa este término — di 'water fountain' o 'drinking fountain' para que te entiendan.ニューイングランド(とウィスコンシン)以外ではこの言葉は通じない — 理解してもらうには「water fountain」や「drinking fountain」と言うこと뉴잉글랜드(및 위스콘신) 밖에서는 아무도 이 용어를 쓰지 않는다 — 이해시키려면 'water fountain'이나 'drinking fountain'이라고 할 것
Origin & History
Likely derived from the Kohler Company's 'Bubbler' brand of drinking fountain, manufactured in Wisconsin. The term spread through New England, particularly Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where it remains the standard term.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and parts of Wisconsin
More From This Topic
More from Regional: Northeast / NYC
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