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What is the correct terminology Bulb or Lamp?


godboy

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Different people seem to use different terminology for lamps/bulbs. What is the correct term. Please explain so that I no longer look like the fool I am. When I go into a shop should I ask for a MSD, ELC, HTI Lamp or a bulb?

 

Pete

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** laughs out loud ** I normally call them Lamps but I had an electrification and women in a shop say they are bulbs. :-( so started calling them that. Maybe I should go along with the opinion of..." in the industry we like to call them lamps but really you can say either" ? thanks for your help guys it's been bugging me for ages and no body seems to have a definitive answer.

 

P.S. Gaz never heard anyone call them bubbles.

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I've always gone with lamps, as lets face it, very few of them are bulb shaped which is where the term light bulb springs from. I've heard them called bubbles but mostly by film/t.v. sparkies.
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Check this out...amaze and astonish your family, friends and neighbours by talking in arcane terms.

 

I have, thoughtfully, dumped you on the correct page(s), ** laughs out loud **:

 

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/glossary/results.php?wordsearch=bulb&searchtype=1&submit=Search

 

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/glossary/results.php?wordsearch=bubble&searchtype=1&submit=Search

 

Seriously, a lot of interesting stuff which you can absorb and use to impress your non theatrical lady friends no end.

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Lamp (or bubble) imho but it doesn't really matter as long as everyone knows what you're talking about.

 

Personally I always call them lamps, and those around me (even those outwith the industry) seem to have been conditioned to call them that too..

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If someone says 'I need a new bulb for this light', do you know what they mean?

If someone else says 'I need a new lamp for this fixture' do you know what they mean?

If I phoned a theatrical supplier to order some bulbs and they corrected me that they were lamps, I would hang up.

There is nothing big or clever about having a magical word for something. Just say what you see. Bulb/Lamp/Bubble/etc, if someone pretends to not understand they are an idiot.

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