Thread: The word 'file'

Exactly how do you use 'file'? I've heard people say I'm going to file your paper. confusing

Yes, "file" is used as a verb.

Have you heard of a "file cabinet"?

Usualy when you "file" something, you put it in alphabetical order in a cabinet or drawer (called a "flie cabinet").

So, "I'm going to file you paper." means they are going to put the paper in the proper place among the other papers. Usually it's alphabetical order by last name.

Tim.

Usually when you "file" something, you put it in alphabetical order in a cabinet or drawer (called a "file cabinet").

Don't forget that in English (or rather in Legalese) one can also 'file a suit' and 'file for divorce'. This is in fact a rather more common usage than the one TronnD gave.

Have you heard of a "file cabinet"?

In British English, this is a filing cabinet.

Also "file" is a transparent folder for A4 format documents

It can also mean 'to smoothen a surface by using a rough metal instrument'.

Originally Posted by Jasper May

It can also mean 'to smoothen a surface by using a rough metal instrument'.

Or the instrument itself. i.e. a nail file

[quote=Mile-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by "Jasper May":1i14vx9i

It can also mean 'to smoothen a surface by using a rough metal instrument'.

Or the instrument itself. i.e. a nail file[/quote:1i14vx9i]

Yeah, that's maybe the worst thing about English, which annoys me greatly

То ли дело по-русски: напильник Всё совершенно однозначно. "Маленький напильник" (nail file), правда, почти напрямую заимствован: надфиль. Но столь же однозначно.

Еще меня забавляет слово die в этом смысле По-русски это сразу несколько слов (кроме того, что все знают): плашка (thread-making die), матрица, штамп, пресс-шайба... - и все обозначают разные вещи.

The word "set" has several dozen meanings - i believe over 300, i have it in a "top-ten" book somewhere....

you can "file" your finger nails too

To continue this, people can walk in "single file"

In fact I found even more at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=file.

Apparently any row of squares on a chess board is also called a file.

There's even archaic uses and a file, from French, that is defined within cooking.