Regional name and terms advice needed

[TarnishedPenny]

I'm working on a tale which involves one of those large plastic tubs with fitted lids, the ones cluttering up our garages and basements until needed for moving or something. In my area, if I said, "She was carrying a large Rubbermaid tote," people would understand. I suspect that would be so in the US as well. What about other areas? What would you call this in Europe or down under? Thanks.

Edited for accuracy - plastic vs rubber. Thanks, KQ

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Rubbermaid make kitchen utensils as far as I'm aware.
I wouldn't have a clue what a Rubbermaid tote was (a tote is a type of handbag/purse...)

That's a plastic crate, a storage crate. (London UK). But not made of rubber, round here. You buy them from plastic tat merchants or DIY places.

 

[onehitwanda]

See, I'd call that a tub if it was small and a bin if it was large. And if it had wheels, it would be a wheely bin, because it's a wheely serious thing.

If I put my recycling in it, it would be a recycling bin, until i took my recycling out of it, in which case it would just be a bin again.

A crate to me is something made of wood that you get apples in.

 

[SimonDoom]

I went to the most authoritative source: Amazon. It's referred to various ly as plastic storage box, bin, container, and tote. I'd be inclined to use one of the first three more. Or tub.

 

[MrPixel]

Yes, Rubbermaid made totes like that, in numerous sizes including heavy-duty versions for the garage. We have a few.

"Tote" is primarily what those sloping-side boxes are called in the US, particularly referring to containers that nest when empty and have hand-holds on the sides. "Totes" come in corrugated cardboard and plastic. Whether that nomenclature works elsewhere? I dunno.

 

[StillStunned]

Having conferred with the wife, I can safely say that we'd call it "that thing, the thing, you know, the thing."

 

[Cuckwannabe111]

We call it a tote or storage bin at my house

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Tote is the item. Or storage tote.

Rubbermaid is one of many brands that make them.

I try not to use brand names.

 

[lovecraft68]

I's leave it at a large plastic tote.

 

[Actingup]

Australia- I’d call it a plastic storage tub. I haven’t heard of Rubbermaid.
Some merchant language here:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/product...T-tD620DqK5SUsKThvHTfLJZbA2tQW-DVRYjKSyhSl64M

 

[Bamagan]

We call 'em 'junkholds' 'round these parts.

(I am not being serious.)

 

[StillStunned]

We call 'em 'junkholds' 'round these parts.

(I am not being serious.)

Sounds like an excellent brand name for men's underwear!

 

[TheLobster]

This is totes a storage box.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I'd happily also call it a storage box, bin or tub, if that helps.

 

[SimonDoom]

Having conferred with the wife, I can safely say that we'd call it "that thing, the thing, you know, the thing."

"Honey, I'm putting the things away."

"The what?"

"The things."

"Where?"

"In the thing. The plastic thing."

"Got it. Make sure you put it in the right place on the shelf, next to the other things."

I have had many conversations of this sort.

 

[ElectricBlue]

A plastic crate or tub.

A Rubbermaid, here in Oz, would more likely be something perverse.

 

[onehitwanda]

tote

A tote is a bag you carry over your shoulder. Amazon can get in the bin.

 

[SimonDoom]

A tote is a bag you carry over your shoulder. Amazon can get in the bin.

That's how I think of it. Tote bag. Something you "tote" stuff in. You don't "tote" 50 pounds of junk in a big plastic tub. You put it on the shelf and keep it there until your heirs find it.

 

[Bamagan]

I recall that some people use the word tote to refer to what is technically a portage: a place where you get out and carry your canoe or kayak. Which then sometimes gets confused with tote road, an unpaved path on which one carries supplies, such as to a camp, especially in the context of lumber camps. I imagine lumberjacks spent some time on tote roads, following the happy trail, looking for the man in the canoe, in the hope of sending their logs downstream.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Where I come from.....
We call them tubs, or plastic storage tubs...
Your original description would have left me scratching my head....
Definitely not a 'Tote'

Cagivagurl

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Thanks all! I will ponder.

 

[Britva415]

A tub or a bin.

More specifically a lidded plastic bin or tub.

Region: California

 

[Actingup]

@TarnishedPenny We'll all be curious now, particularly around what toys or body-parts are in the tub / bin / container in question... give us a heads up here when the story is published?

 

[SimonDoom]

A plastic crate or tub.

A Rubbermaid, here in Oz, would more likely be something perverse.

According to Rollinbones in his post in the snake thread yesterday, in Australia "tote" is something you do barehanded with deadly brown snakes when you're hunting rabbits. That might be the most "Australian" thing I've ever seen. I suppose you could store 'em in the Rubbermaid tub when you're done toting.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

According to Rollinbones in his post in the snake thread yesterday, in Australia "tote" is something you do barehanded with deadly brown snakes when you're hunting rabbits. That might be the most "Australian" thing I've ever seen. I suppose you could store 'em in the Rubbermaid tub when you're done toting.

No, no and HELL NO!