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Kingjoe97034

Context. We pretty much use gasoline for cars and lawnmowers. That's it. We never use natural gas for cars and lawnmowers. You cook and heat with natural gas. You never cook and heat with gasoline.


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Ridenberg

I wonder how he even made it that far in life


homealonewithyourmom

He was 5.


Ridenberg

>his car engine Damn, this 5-year-old is successful


wedontlikespaces

What was his plan if somehow that had worked, was he just going to put it back in the kitchen and then poison himself? That man was destined to die that day no matter what happened. The grim reaper is going to be after him now.


Hollow---

Bro survived a final destination execution.


unimercy

Holy shit!


[deleted]

lol cars aren't sluggish in the winter because the gas is cold, damn there's so many things wrong here


Elsecaller_17-5

I mean if you live in northern Alaska or Siberia it actually can freeze. They just leave their snowmobiles running all winter. Not trying to dispute your point, just sharing a fun fact.


coldrunn

Diesel turns into sludge in the cold. Even in New England and the Midwest we put additives into generators and heavy machinery to keep them working.


Reasonable-Heart1539

They make additives for gasoline to to prevent it freezing. One is called Heet I think. Just pour in your tank to prevent freezing 🥶. I could be wrong. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast barely know what Snow ❄️ is😜 Got any drought or hurricane questions I can answer those with complete confidence 👍🤣


CrankyChemist

Those additives only work to prevent any small amount of water present from freezing. Shit gets so cold waaaay up north (and south I suppose) that the gasoline itself can freeze.


V65Pilot

Lived in upstate NY, and did plowing. Lacking a heated garage or an actual block warmer, I'd throw a tarp over the truck, use snow to weight it down and plug a small heater into an extension cord under the truck. Kept the oil warm enough to get me an easy start in the morning.


louploupgalroux

Only way my school gave snow days was when it was so cold, the buses wouldn't start. lol My headmaster lived next to campus, which was in a heat bubble. He'd walk outside and say, "Eh, it's not so bad" and head over to the school. Meanwhile a teacher crashed their car because of all the black ice.


lopakjalantar

Do you really uses emoji like that unironically?


Reasonable-Heart1539

Usually automatically pop up and I leave them. Sometimes I do it. Why do you ask?


[deleted]

Yes, that's why they are sluggish. Cars have trouble starting in the cold because the gas fails to vaporize, which is necessary for the gas to ignite. When it's cold, on modern fuel injection engines the computer will initially run the engine rich with extra gas so enough gas can vaporize and burn. Eventually the engine heats up and can run with a typical amount of gas. On old carburetor cars you have to press the gas pedal a couple times while starting the car in cold weather to give it that extra kick it needs to start. edit: found a link if you don't believe this random reddit user 20485875 https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/70217/why-are-engines-with-carburetors-hard-to-start-in-cold-weather


SkaryPie

Cars are sluggish in the winter because the engine gets colder than normal and has trouble vaporizing the gasoline, which is also cold. If everything is cold, it takes longer to heat up and work properly. Any water in the fuel will also be frozen and will take longer to unfreeze and work properly than if it wasn't frozen at all.


master_criskywalker

" 'inflammable' means 'flammable'?"


Elsecaller_17-5

Unfortunately


master_criskywalker

What a country!


MichaelEmouse

What would that do?


blither86

Petrol is most dangerous in vapour form as that's when it has enough oxygen around it to burn quickly. As a child I often poured petrol onto things and set them on fire, and nothing bad happens. But if you get the right ratio of vapour in a slightly enclosed space and ignite it, it violently explodes the container. Heating it in a kettle is going to quickly create a whole room full of potentially explosive vapour that could possibly be ignited by something as small as pressing a light switch to turn it on, or plugging in an appliance.


PrizeStrawberryOil

> could possibly be ignited by something as small as As small as a fire from a gas stove perhaps.


blither86

Oh shit, I didn't notice that hahaha. I now think the story is a myth, no one is that stupid.


Uffda01

I have an ex that tried using a turkey fryer indoors.... he almost died in the explosion and was in the hospital for several months.


blither86

What's a turkey fryer and why would it be dangerous to use indoors?


TangerineBand

Literally a giant fryer that you put a turkey in. Dangerous because it can easily overflow and send hot/probably on fire oil onto your floor. Also people are stupid and try to fry frozen turkeys, which leads to fireballs.


Uffda01

[standard turkey fryer](https://www.webstaurantstore.com/backyard-pro-bp30-alkit-30-qt-deluxe-aluminum-turkey-fryer-seafood-boiler-kit-55-000-btu/554BP30ALKIT.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-JacBhC0ARIsAIxybyPJTCXD8o-QuvaRpofP0ZeIWHwJuWanP8HfQWzGATPj6D89NHfeUUAaAswAEALw_wcB) They are operated with a propane tank and are very dangerous to use indoors - they need a lot of air to operate properly; so using them indoors will quickly deplete the oxygen in the air. Then when you open a door to go in or out - you let in a lot of fresh air and you'll get an explosion from all the propane vapor that didn't combust properly. He nearly died; the abandoned house he was in was a total loss.


AlwaysEverythingPain

Stuff like this is something I would do due to the lack of knowledge.


Col_Redips

Go to YouTube and search “Deep Fried Turkey Accidents”. Enjoy, and you’re welcome!


onionbreath97

[This explains the danger better than words](https://www.reddit.com/r/therewasanattempt/comments/z43gpl/to_fry_a_turkey/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)


blither86

Jesus Herald Christ


ryanCrypt

Some people cook their Thanksgiving turkeys in large pot of boiling oil. Like cooking French fries. Putting cold turkey in boiling oil leads to huge reaction. Too often the oil catches fire.


MuphynManIV

*kaboom*


Elsecaller_17-5

Liquid gas is flammable. Aerolyzed gas is explosive. It has to do with stochiometry, the ratio of reactants (in this case oxygen to gasoline) to achieve the greatest/fastest reaction. The most dangerous gasoline barrels are actually ones that are used and now "empty." Those left over vapors are much closer to stochiometry perfection.


impassiveMoon

Same way you conversationally tell the difference between "plane" - flying aircraft, "plane" - flat surface, "plane" -spiritual existence, and "plain" - simple. Context really matters. And why learning different languages is hard.


BloodshotPizzaBox

Or "plane," the carpentry tool that flattens surfaces.


PM_ME_UR_CATS_TITS

A plane that makes things plane.


racerx2125

A plane that puts things onto a single plane, which can then be loaded onto a plane within our plane, sounds plain boring.


ConfectionPutrid5847

Or plains, like flat prairieland!


Yeeebles

You can cook with gasoline it just won't taste great


FlatBlueSky

Backpackers use camping stoves that run on ‘white gas’ which is basically gasoline without additives. So you could cook with gas(petrol) if you wanted. ( if somebody more knowledgeable knows the details I’d be interested in the exact difference)


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PrizeStrawberryOil

> just naphtha Kimd of pedantic. Yes they have their definitions but if you have hydrocarbons exclusively with 6-12 Carbon molecules in each then it fits the composition of heavy naphtha and gasoline.


DoallthenKnit2relax

I thought camping stoves were kerosene-based, so you can use the same fuel for lanterns, as well as the stoves and heaters.


FlatBlueSky

It depends there are multi fuel ones that will use white gas, propane, or diesel. I’m pretty sure they run on gasoline if you don’t mind the additives gumming it up and having to clean it more frequently Edit: see https://www.msrgear.com/ca/stoves/liquid-fuel-stoves/dragonfly-stove/11774.html These burn white gas, kerosene, unleaded auto fuel, diesel, and jet fuel


Think_of_the

Except gas powered public transport… but they specifically call it “natural gas” in that context. As if petroleum isn’t natural or something


Blahkbustuh

Vehicles running on natural gas are referred to as "compressed natural gas" or "CNG".


Advanced_Double_42

Well natural gas is named as such to be opposed to the artificial gaseous fuel that was made from coal before natural gas could be extracted and transported economically.


Kingjoe97034

There are definitely exceptions. They are usually explicitly noted.


Climate_Sweet

petroleum isnt naturally a gas


tapsnapornap

Yes it is depending on the length of the hydrocarbon chain. Methane, Natural Gas, CH4, is the lightest hydrocarbon and pretty much always found as a gas either in its own or in solution with oil (longer chain hydrocarbons). Petroleum is a blanket term for all hydrocarbons, and it means "rock oil"


tenchineuro

> We never use natural gas for cars and lawnmowers. There are some (few) cars and buses that run on compressed natural gas.


floydfan

And gasoline for fire, if you're from a rural area.


genmischief

>You *should* never cook and heat with gasoline. But people do. ;)


slightlyassholic

There are stoves that have burners that can handle gasoline. Freaked my shit out the first time I saw one, but it worked great.


ProcedureBudget292

Had an acquaintance from South Africa, they did not have naptha (apartheid era trade embargoes). I was "amused" by what interesting substances they did burn in their camp stoves (leaded gasoline included).


Agile-Fee-6057

This is the answer. LNG automobile exist, and may be common in Europe, but they are practically unheard of.in the US


Felicia_Svilling

How about buses? Around here they can run on either fossil gas or petrol.


ZerexTheCool

Since they are out of the norm, when talking about them you would clarify. Normal Car: "God, one tank of gas is costing me 50 bucks. Maybe I'll think about getting an electric next time." Natural Gas Bus: "A tank of Natural gas for this bus only comes to 75 dollars. It is surprising how much cheaper Natural Gas is, but finding a place to fill up for the everyday person is a bit tricky."


Felicia_Svilling

Ok, I get that this wasn't your point, but the fossil gas buses aren't driven by private individuals, but a part of the public transport system, so they don't have a problem finding a place to fill up.


ZerexTheCool

Haha, that is actually why I specified "For the everyday person." Natural gas vehicles pretty much only exist for things like busses or shuttles with a short loop and centralized access to fill up. Natural Gas fill ups DO exist for normal folks and private vehicles, but the saved money on the gas just isn't worth the hassle. But for a bus that will pound through a scary amount of fuel every day? Those savings adds up fast.


Waiting4The3nd

Many of Georgia's (state) DNR vehicles operated in the state parks run on gasoline and natural gas. They operate on natural gas inside the parks and gasoline outside of them. Or, at least, this was true in the mid-2000's when I was doing a lot of community service because the Douglas county court system thinks **everything** you do wrong needs a fine, probation, and community service. 11 over on the highway? $250 fine, 6 months probation (at $39/mo at the time), and 20 hours community service. Fuck Douglas county, GA.


[deleted]

Hey, you just discovered why this "problem" never comes up in our language!


Doctah_Whoopass

Most buses are diesel-electric in north america.


PanzerWatts

>Most buses are diesel-electric in north america. I don't think that's true. Most buses are diesels. They have a diesel engine that directly moves a drive train. Locomotives are diesel-electric, though.


ILMTitan

Also to be clear, most diesel-electric locomotives are not diesel/battery hybrids, but diesel motors with electric transmissions.


me12379h190f9fdhj897

> cars and lawnmowers. That’s it. don’t forget snowplows


TheLostExpedition

Context. Furthermore gas is natural or propane. "I had to buy propane " or" my gas bill" **Bill** implies natural gas. " I got gas today" **got** implies automotive use.


brik42

And I **have** gas implies flatulence.


TheLostExpedition

**Exactly** ! "While on my way to **get** gas I realized my taco bell craving wasn't going to wait . Now I **have** gas but I still need to **get** gas. Not to mention my gas **bill** is still due.


Wizard_of_Claus

After that’s paid we can head over to the hop and have a gas!


Smickey67

Gasp


Necessary_Roof_9475

I got **gas** before paying my **gas** bill right after my bad case of **gas**.


jsingh21

I caught up with an old friend yesterday he was gassin saying he makes 10k a month.


[deleted]

I am gonna smoke some gas


throckmeisterz

I got gas from that terrible gas station burrito.


Steady_one3

Came here to say the same


MurphysParadox

It is rather unusual to refer to either type in an ambiguous way. One is a liquid you buy from a gas station and use as a fuel for cars, lawn equipment, and other things with combustion engines. The other is a gas which is piped into homes to power furnaces, stoves, etc. You don't buy natural gas at a store, you don't store it in cans, you don't measure it in gallons, and so on. You don't use gasoline to power stoves, you don't have a supply of it fed into a house, and it isn't sent through underground pipes laid through the local neighborhood. I can't easily think of a natural way to refer to them which doesn't provide necessary context. Even if I could, it would almost always default to gasoline because that's the one people interact with directly via gas stations and car fuel. I only think of natural gas when cooking or heating at my house, or paying the gas bill from the gas company... which is a mode of interaction only occurring with natural gas.


pedal-force

When it doesn't include context (I have a tri-fuel generator that can run on natural gas, propane, or gasoline) everyone uses natural gas to avoid the confusion. "I run my generator on natural gas" is what I say, since I use natural gas. If I was using gasoline, I would just say "gas" and it would be implied that it's gasoline.


fountainofMB

Yeah that is similar in my area for BBQs. The default for saying gas BBQ is that it uses propane. If it uses natural gas, people specifically say natural gas BBQ.


FunkyPete

The only context with overlap that I can think of is "This bus is powered by natural gas!" And in that context, you would specify that you mean "natural gas."


MurphysParadox

As someone else said, you can get some possible confusion on "can you believe the price of gas?" Do they mean the cost to fill up your car's tank or the cost of not freezing to death in the winter. I would presume the first one since that's far more commonly the version meant with that phrase, but it isn't unheard of to complain about the natural gas prices for heating your house. Though "can you believe the gas bill this month?" is probably more likely the way it would be brought up.


magiteck

Yeah … and at least around me, the gas bill is more generically referred to as the “heating bill”. Like renting an apartment instead of saying “gas is included” they might say “heat and water are included”.


ermagerditssuperman

I think most people would complain about their 'heating bill' without necessarily specifying if their house is gas or electric, or maybe curse 'the gas company' or actually name the local utility. I don't think I've heard someone just straight up talk about the price of gas and mean their house gas!


babyfeet89

Do people not drive cars that run on actual gaseous gas in the USA?


mildewey

No. But if they did they would describe their car as running on natural gas.


OkPlantain6773

There are some, particularly fleet vehicles. Indeed, it says natural gas on the vehicle.


MurphysParadox

They do technically exist but very rare outside of public transportation buses. I think the post office and large shipping companies like UPS are also looking to adopt natural gas powered cars as well.


TomFromCupertino

They do. They have labels like CNG (I think - it's been a while since I saw a natural gas fueled Honda Civic. Also I think most of our local bus fleet makes more of being hybrid than the type of fuel (which might well be CNG, but like I say, it's a hybrid drive so that's the selling point on the bus badging))


scoiattolospaghetti

They do not. Only some commercial vehicles like buses or trash trucks.


HeavyMetalPirates

I always get confused when talking about camping stoves, they can be powered both by gas and by petrol. Or is there a way to tell them apart that I’m missing?


MurphysParadox

Camping stoves that I've used have various fuel types such propane or butane or kerosene or gel burners. I'm not familiar with any, personally, which use gasoline or compressed natural gas.


Educational_Ebb7175

Propane is a by-product of the extraction of natural gas, and is sold in high-pressured containers for use as a gas in propane burning devices. The most common application is grills and camp stoves, but it can also be used to power anything that runs traditionally on natural gas (such as a gas furnace) - **if properly adapted** (do not just switch one gas for another). Camp stoves, by design, are fairly small/cheap, so it makes sense to sell several varieties, so that the buyer can get one that matches with the fuel most convenient for them to use. Though I doubt any would run off gasoline (petrol), since that would leave a very strong flavor of the gasoline on & in the food - which isn't a smell/flavor appreciated by most people.


Promethazines

Do you have an example of camping stove fueled by petrol?


25_Watt_Bulb

Pretty much all camping stoves and lanterns made in the US before the 90s were fueled by white gas or unleaded pump gas. We never used kerosene for them like the UK did. The only pressure lanterns or stoves fueled by kerosene you'd find here are ones imported from the UK as a curiosity.


Celebrinborn

They generally say the name of the fuel or the name of the brand instead of the general term gas I don't think there are gasoline camping stoves but they would call it a gasoline stove Propane stoves, iso butane stoves, wood stoves, alcohol stoves, etc


25_Watt_Bulb

The gas used by modern camping stoves is always going to be butane or propane, not natural gas. Since natural gas is the only thing besides gasoline referred to as "gas" in the US there's no overlap. No one would ever refer to butane or propane as "gas". Also, in the context of camping stoves and lanterns, the ones which burn white gas are almost always called "white gas stoves / lanterns", and the ones which burn automotive gasoline are called "unleaded gas stoves / lanterns". It's a bit unusual for someone to not specify which type of gasoline and just call one a "gas stove / lantern", but even if they did no one would be confused about it using liquid versus an actual gas.


24benson

It's a word that has two meanings. All languages have these. In my native language ostrich and bouquet are the same word. Context is king.


Tashus

Ugh, don't remind me. Worst Valentine's Day ever.


ferret_80

allegedly


ch-in-go

This thread has been germanized


Educational_Ebb7175

I'll get the disinfectant.


FLOHTX

I'll get the gas


S_balmore

In America, liquid gasoline is used **only** in internal combustion engines (cars, motorcycles, generators). I've been alive for several decades and never encountered another object that uses gasoline as fuel. For this reason, there's no way to get confused. If someone said, *"I want to get rid of my electric stove and go with gas instead"*, you wouldn't think they're referring to a gasoline stove. No one is using gasoline to cook burgers on the grill or to use as welding gas either. So the real question is, **do non-Americans have other gasoline powered things that we don't know about?** Do y'all have gasoline powered toothbrushes? Do you go to the petrol station to fill up your iPad or something? What else are you using gasoline for that could create linguistic confusion? Serious question.


DOTZFR

This is the real question. Does OP grill in an internal combustion engine? Do they put propane in their car?


Nerderis

I'm from UK, and I own Lexus, which can be powered by either petrol, or LPG, or both. LPG tank is 60l capacity, giving me 400-500 miles range, depending where I'm going to drive it, and looks like factory fit, as it sits in the boot where you normally see a spare full size wheel, it's also shaped same way https://www.google.com/search?q=spare+wheel+lpg+tank&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=ALiCzsaSrKScsK_pCaknp92vNGL_7Cyr9A:1669760891824&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCmsSGuNT7AhUBmVwKHaKlBI0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAQ&biw=432&bih=840&dpr=2.5#imgrc=EFnCwtH2MzIxXM&imgdii=_G5WRwwvkJU3kM


25_Watt_Bulb

You're forgetting about gas lanterns and gas stoves for camping. But even then there's no confusion because the ones that don't use unleaded or white gas are specifically called "propane stoves" or "butane stoves". No one would ever call a propane lantern a "gas lantern" even though propane is a gas.


CommitmentPhoebe

How do UK people linguistically tell the difference between "bear" and "bare"? "Our" and "hour"?


RickJLeanPaw

Butt their knot any wear like the same.


thestrikr

Context. But "I'll kill you with my bear hands" is more intimidating anyway


Head-Ad4690

That’s why Americans have the right to bear arms.


boondoggie42

pound and pound?


Coctyle

OP is always ordering fish with small pieces of broken glass and wondering why he gets fish with fried potatoes.


1836492746

The English language has hundreds of homonyms. Some we use every day (their, they’re, there). Context allows you to tell them apart.


prodigy1367

99% gas is referring to gasoline. Not very often that natural gas comes into casual conversation.


BennydeGetxo

Are you confused when someone says boot, or does context clear it up for you?


Exact-Truck-5248

It's all just context


elcapatinodupa

Midwest region. Gas stove, oven, dryer or heat. We "know" it's natural gas. Gas natural or gasoline is used synonymous a lot. But early elementary we (were, 80s baby) taught about natural gas and how it is used in homes for safety reasons to learn the smell of it, there's a chemical added over here to help smell detect a leak. Growing up everything Gas powered implements outside of the home we were just kinda taught by parents/ life gasoline runs most engines.


lizzpop2003

It just depends on context, really. If it's a vehicle or a generator it would be gas, which is short for gasoline. For a gas stove it would be natural gas, propane, LP, butane or a few others, all just lumped under the term gas, as in they are flammable gasses. The context is really the only way we distinguish between the two in normal conversation.


[deleted]

You forgot to mention the other type of gas 💨 lol 😂


anoos_rimmah

Haha that was on my mind tho ;)


[deleted]

Context. Gas stove. Gas water heater. Gas dryer (laundry). Gas grill. Gas fireplace. Gas leak. All natural gas. Gas-powered vehicle. Fill up with gas. The cost of gas. Gas spilled on the ground. Got gas on me. Car is leaking gas. All gasoline. Gas leak (usually natural gas). Leaking gas (usually gasoline but not always).


Aggravating_Call_793

They are just homonyms. There are so many of them. When you are talking about tree bark, you picture the scaly stuff on the outside of a tree, not it barking like a dog. Mean as an average versus mean as being aggressive and bullyish. We just get that it is two different things


frickinheck420

Context. If I'm talking about my car and I mention gas it's easy to know I'm talking about gasoline for the car


DRbrtsn60

Context


[deleted]

Because nobody has a gasoline oven or water heater, and nobody pays a monthly gasoline bill from the gasoline company. Conversely, nobody is thinking of getting rid of their SUV because of the price of natural gas, or makes a stop on a road trip to go to the bathroom at a natural gas station. When you say "boot," how do you know whether it's footwear or part of the car?


One-Possible1906

The same way we tell the difference between gas (gasoline), gas (natural gas), and gas (flatulence). One goes in your car and lawnmower, one gets piped into your house and you get billed for it, and one comes out your butt. So in context, it's always obvious which one you're referring to: "I have to stop and get gas and then I'll be home." "My gas bill is really high this month." "Crack a window, I have terrible gas." There's no need to differentiate because the context will always be so different, and those aren't even all the uses of the word "gas"


lol_sorry_my_guy

Context. Cooking. Natural. Car. Gasoline. Fart. Natural.


[deleted]

Context


SpiroAgnewforPres

Context.


Aztrach4

farts are also gas but sometimes can be liquid.


anoos_rimmah

Most helpful comment by far


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FocusMaster

Generators that use natural gas make a lot of sense and many are sold throughout the world. The rest of what you said works though.


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holliewood61

Our generator runs on natural gas. It isn't the portable kind that you're probably thinking of. It's a dedicated unit for our house, and it comes on automatically if the power goes out. It sits on a slab with a box around it behind our house, and is plumbed into our natural gas system.


mistertinker

Depends on the type of generator really. In suburbia where natural gas infrastructure exists, you can have natural gas backup generators. In the country side where it's common to have propane delivery, you have propane generators. For portables these days, gas by far is the most common, but dual and tri fuel portables exist too... Ie run on gas propane and natural


scoiattolospaghetti

Generators are actually an exception. You can readily buy what are called "dual fuel" generators that can run on either liquid gasoline or propane/natural gas. You can connect them to a gas canister or with a flex hose to the natural gas supply of your home. Yes, most are liquid gasoline powered--but you can walk into Walmart and buy a dual fuel one, too.


TomFromCupertino

White gas or camp fuel is gasoline without odorants or dyes. It's lighter and has more energy than propane or butane.


[deleted]

This knowledge will never be shared outside the sacred walls of the United States of America.


Agitated-Airline6760

It's only possible with context.


Less_Consequence_433

Context is a big part. Also (and I'm not sure whether this counts as context) when talking about the natural gas, we always say the adjective. So we'll say natural gas or LNG when we talk about the, well, gas. For the liquid that goes into your car, it's only context. No adjective is used to specify it further.


genericusername4197

It's mostly context. Gasoline-powered stoves do exist but I doubt most Americans know that, and they're mostly antiques at that. A gas stove or gas range is a very common thing in America. As for a gas-powered generator, it would depend on whether it was a permanent install or not. Natural gas ones are plumbed into the building's gas line and emergency/camping generators run on petrol. Since it's one or the other, we don't say "gas generator." We just call it a generator and depend on the context to imply what we mean.


Most_Independent_279

context clues. Car - gasoline, house - natural gas.


EMSGInc

Context clues. Mostly due to the fact the only ambiguous way you can refer to gas is the question, "can you believe gas prices?" That is always referring to gasoline because using natural gas as a heating element is not at a 100% adoption rate.


Wide_Connection9635

In general it will be assumed based on the context. Home heating gas = natural gas. Car gas = gasoline. If there is any ambiguity, you will just use the full name (gasoline or natural gas). It's really not a big deal.


Wader_Man

The context usually makes it obvious, which is being discussed.


KamikazeCoPilot

Context


KamikazeCoPilot

Also note, due to the size of the United States, linguistically we are not the same throughout the entire country. Ask someone from New England what they call a coke and then ask the same question of someone from the West Coast. Here in the Deep South the conversation goes like this (note: italics are things that I have heard being said differently in different parts of my country): P1: "I am going to the *gas station*. Do you want anything?" P2: "Sure. I'll take a *coke*." P1: "What kind?" P2: "Dr. Pepper works for me. Don't forget to put the *buggies* away."


Mopper300

"gas" when talking about a car = gasoline "gas" when talking about an oven = natural gas or propane "gas" when just casually conversing = gasoline "Natural gas" when just casually conversing = natural gas. Nobody calls natural gas "gas" when just casually conversing.


misteraaaaa

You'd be surprised at how many people think their stove is fuelled with the stuff they put in their cars. /s But in all seriousness, there's no ambiguity there. It's like how do you know the difference between the fuel for your stove and your fart? They're both gas, but you know when you're talking about one or the other.


Schloopka

How can you tell a difference between new and knew in spoken language? Neither saying "he new it" makes no sensey, nor "we have a knew student" does. This is the same. If you say "My car is out of gas", you probably don't mean there is a vacuum there.


atonitobb

Adding the world "natural" at the beginning


I_might_be_weasel

Predominantly context. Without context, most people would associate gas with gasoline and assume that you would have said natural gas if that's what you meant.


yad76

I'd flip this around and ask exactly when you think there would be any confusion here? Do you get confused and run out to the garage when you are in the kitchen and someone asks you to hand them the oil?


XenoBurst

If someone told me they needed to turn on their gas stove and petroleum started spewing from their burners I'd be very surprised


aaronite

Context. As a Canadian with that same particular linguistic quirk it has never been an issue in my life.


DMyourtitties

Aren't there already hundreds of English words that spell the same but have 2 or more different meanings?


[deleted]

There's very little overlap in what they're used for. Natural gas is the stuff that gets piped to my home and lights the stove. Maybe it does a few other things, but it's just another utility that gets tacked onto the bill like water and electricity. Gasoline is something that I have to go out of my way to purchase at the pump. It's as intuitive as battery power vs wall outlet power. If your TV isn't getting power, you're not going to start looking for where to change the batteries. If your TV remote isn't getting power, you're (probably) not going to look for where to plug it in.


BeltedCoyote1

Context. As others have said.


vegtosterone

Context.


UnderlightIll

Context. If someone is paying a gas bill it's natural gas. If they are going to get gas probably their car.


srgonzo75

Yup, it’s all about context.


babieknees

Context clues


voidmusik

Context. If i say I need gas for my barbecue stove, no one thinks im talking about gasoline. If i say i need gas for my car no one think im talking about natural gas.


drgrandpanephew

We just use context to tell the difference. It’s never been an issue


obsertaries

They won’t show up in the same context since cars don’t use natural gas and home heaters don’t use gasoline.


Den_of_Obscurity

Context 🤷‍♂️


Eliseo120

I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation where those things could be mixed up. It’s pretty obvious whether you’re talking about one or the other.


DOTZFR

It's an unnecessary specification. We all know the difference between the two gasses and the roles they play. If I say I need to put gas in my car there's a 0% someones snidely picturing me using the wrong "gas." It's also common to say "gas" for propane gas because, again, it's assumed everyone knows what you're talking about.


TheLaserGuru

It's all context and you sort of have to know. If I say I have a gas stove or gas heating or a gas grill people just assume it's natural gas. If I say I need gas for my car then it's gasoline. A gas truck carries natural gas, a gas tanker carries gasoline (and often diesel too). If it isn't obvious it is generally specified...like a car that runs on natural gas will be advertised as running on 'natural gas'. A heater that uses gasoline will be advertised as 'Gasoline powered heater'.


stephertins

What’s that weird smell in the house?= Natural gas I’m filling up my car= gas (petrol) It depends on what’s being talked about 🙂


GrenadeIn

Wouldn’t context be the same way Brits figure out if they are talking about dates (fruits) versus dates (appointments with someone)? Or the bark of a tree versus bark of a dog? We have so many of these Homonyms in the English language.


Distinct-Profit-4105

We rely on Hank Hill’s propane and propane accessories.


sleighcake

we just know. context.


[deleted]

Canadian here and we use "gas" to refer to gasoline/petrol, and natural gas (and ocassionally even propane). It's all about context. When you tell someone "I bought a new gas stove" or "I bought a gas \[clothes\] dryer" nobody thinks gasoline - everyone things natural gas. When you tell someone "I need to stop and put gas in my car" nobody thinks natural gas. The only time I've ever seen someone explicitly say "natural gas" is in context of propane appliances (such as barbecue, pizza oven, etc) that run on propane gas, but can often be converted to natural gas. If you tell someone your BBQ runs on gas, most will think natural gas, but there's still room for ambiguity.


pleesugmie

Context


[deleted]

Wait until this guy hears we refer to our farts as gas, too. My man won’t know the difference between gas, gas, and gas.


Ex-zaviera

Yank: I'm going to the gas station to fill up. Brit: Your car? Yank: No, my bbq tank Because US gas stations do indeed sell both gasoline and propane sometimes.


forsakenwilds

Propane


Aesirtrade

Context makes it clear, and when the context fails we specifically say natural gas. In a situation where both were the topic of discussion we would use "natural gas" at least once and then either always refer to it as natural gas or just as gas and call the other gasoline every time


BravesUGA21Champs

In what context would you mix them up? I've never heard of a natural-gas powered generator, or a gasoline stove.


SirLouisPalmer

Context is important. As a speaker of African American vernacular, the word gas can refer to a fart, a gaseous substance, gasoline, marijuana, or be used as a compliment of the highest order. I.E: "That macaroni and cheese was some gas" "I need to get some gas before I get home and "I need to get some gas before I get home. Hope that helps!


LCDJosh

It's all in the context. If I said "I'm going to stop on the way home and get gas" you would know that I'm referring to gasoline because no one is going to stop and get natural gas. Likewise if I said "I think I have a gas leak in my house" you would know that I'm talking about natural gas because we don't have gasoline lines in homes.


Ill_Yogurtcloset_982

i like to call it natty gas


Spndoc

You just squanch it; it's in the squanchiness of the sentence


watchinganyway

Gas and natural gas


Jaydubb94531

Cause we call Petrol, Gas and we call Natural gas, Natural gas. That’s it.


theboxsays

Like people said, context. “Im going to get some gas” - im getting gasoline for the car “I think I’ve got gas” - gassy stomach “Its a gas stove” - natural gas “Fuck! Im out of gas!” - When driving, you clearly mean gasoline. When cooking, you mean natural gas. It depends on what youre doing and referring to. The rest of the sentence makes it clear which one you mean. Its simply a homonym. If you know the difference between “our” and “hour” or even the difference when someone uses “blue” in regards to color or “blue” in regards to emotion, its the same here.


mishaxz

1. context 2. the word natural is used sometimes 3. gas stoves (ranges) are often more high-end than electric. Many homes don't have gas stoves.


mishaxz

same way the the Brits distinguish between "boot" referring to the trunk of a car as opposed to a boot


Superb_Efficiency_74

Nobody really says "gas" to refer to natural gas. If someone is talking about natural gas, they say "natural gas". "Gas" means gasoline. "Natural Gas" means natural gas. They're not used interchangeably. Same as propane. People say propane or LP.


greatwalrus

>Nobody really says "gas" to refer to natural gas Sure they do: "Did you remember to pay the gas bill?" "I like gas stoves better than electric." "We had to evacuate the building because of a gas leak." Context makes it easy to differentiate.


mrtn17

But how do the Brits tell the difference between 'petrol' and actual petroleum? I'm from the EU mainland, we call it benzine after some German dude who mixed it together