The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124681   Message #2757384
Posted By: pdq
01-Nov-09 - 01:57 PM
Thread Name: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
Subject: RE: BS: American English usages taking over Brit
It's safe to say that most Americans know the word "pantry". It refers to a small room, often located next to the kitchen. Dry food and canned goods are stored there, as well as (perhaps) paper towels and paper plates, breakfast cereal, and non-perishable food in bulk.

Post-war homes built from about 1946-1984 were minimalist cheap boxes and the pantry was one of the niceties that usually got skipped. These affordable houses eventually resulted in about 2 out of every 3 people living in family-owned dwellings.

Since the economic boom started around 1985, new homes have become more luxurious with marble countertops, huge master bathrooms, and maybe even a pantry.

Much less likely that we would know the word "larder", which can be a strcture similar to a root cellar or the contents of such a place. Mormans are expected to keep enough non-perishable food on hand to feed their family for a year. That stockpile is a "larder" wherever it is stored.