In a feeble attempt to rationalize the Canadianism "pencil crayon"...
Pencils have cores based on graphite or charcoal.
Pencil crayons have cores based on wax or oil, with pigments added. This is basically the composition of crayons or pastels. Then it's wrapped in wood like a pencil. Thus ... "pencil crayon".
Crayons are the fat sticks of wax (e.g. Crayola brand). Colored pencils are, well, colored pencils.
There are also various different ways to pronounce “crayon”; is that also true in Canada? For example I pronounce it with one syllable: “cran”, just like the beginning of “cranberry”. I get the feeling that’s not the majority pronunciation but it’s not exactly rare either (at least where I grew up).
Nope, coloured pencils are coloured wax encased in wood. Canadians emphasize that they are crayons in pencil shape; Americans emphasize that they are pencil-form but coloured.
FWIW I’m American. According to the “Harvard Dialect Survey” which I found on Google, about 14% of people in the US pronounce it like I do and most of the rest with two syllables.
Well... they're generally wax or oil based like a crayon. Just wrapped in wood like a pencil rather than in paper. Like some sort of... pencil... crayon. >_>
In a feeble attempt to rationalize the Canadianism "pencil crayon"...
Pencils have cores based on graphite or charcoal.
Pencil crayons have cores based on wax or oil, with pigments added. This is basically the composition of crayons or pastels. Then it's wrapped in wood like a pencil. Thus ... "pencil crayon".
Wait, coloured pencils aren't actually pencils?
I've never heard Pencil Crayon, in British Columbia, but then again I did live in the U.S. for all of my school years.
Crayons are the fat sticks of wax (e.g. Crayola brand). Colored pencils are, well, colored pencils.
There are also various different ways to pronounce “crayon”; is that also true in Canada? For example I pronounce it with one syllable: “cran”, just like the beginning of “cranberry”. I get the feeling that’s not the majority pronunciation but it’s not exactly rare either (at least where I grew up).
Nope, coloured pencils are coloured wax encased in wood. Canadians emphasize that they are crayons in pencil shape; Americans emphasize that they are pencil-form but coloured.
Interesting, I never knew that. Never been much of an artist. So I guess the Canadian term is actually more accurate!
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Same in UK for what they are ie sticks of wax (They can be thin for cheap ones that break)
In UK it is two syllables.
FWIW I’m American. According to the “Harvard Dialect Survey” which I found on Google, about 14% of people in the US pronounce it like I do and most of the rest with two syllables.
Colored pencils
pencils of color :)
Pencils experiencing colourfulness
One of the frequent debates with my wife lol... "But they are not crayons" does not help my case at all :-)
Well... they're generally wax or oil based like a crayon. Just wrapped in wood like a pencil rather than in paper. Like some sort of... pencil... crayon. >_>
That also blew my mind.