fireplug

[Barnhart]

Dear Luanne,

I lived my first four years in the Chicago suburbs.  It is there that I
probably heard the first references to this community institution.  My
recollection is that _fireplug_ preceded _fire hydrant_ in my lexicon.
>From age four onward I have lived in the Hudson Valley within commuting
distance of NYC.  I suspect that is where I picked up _fire hydrant_.  My
sons (12 and 13) I think use fire hydrant.  I will
take a little survey of the middle school usage for you.

American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> writes:
>---------------------- Information from the mail header
>-----------------------
>Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>Poster:       Luanne von Schneidemesser <lvonschn at WISC.EDU>
>Subject:      fireplug
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Anyone know if fireplug (=fire hydrant) is regional?  If so, where?  A
>woman originally from Ohio says she uses it (and people laugh at her).  We
>didn't ask about this when interviewing for DARE.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Luanne
>