This is a random question - "ink pen"

[wambam]

If someone uses the term "ink pen," what does this mean to you? Is it different than simply saying "pen?"

[revolution]

just a normal pen of any kind. I'd picture a ball point pen in my head.

[jeaniebueller]

My H always says "ink pen." I mock him for it all the time. I take it to mean a ball point pen.

[cbwm1]

DH says this all the damn time and I call him an 85 year old man because no one says that but the olds.

To me, it doesn't mean anything different than just the word pen.

[ksun]

to me it's like saying tuna fish - redundant. It's just a regular pen.

[wambam]

I was thinking about this because I think it's regional and/or generational. When I worked in the pharmacy, I heard many people use the term "ink pen" and they were usually old. One time, this woman said "Can I borrow an ink pen?" so I handed her a ballpoint pen and she said "No, an INK pen!" And I told her "I'm sorry, i don't know what that means." And she rooted around in her purse and pulled out what looked like an IDENTICAL BALL POINT PEN and wrote a check with it.

[moolarkey]

I'd guess, since we're talking about verbally, it is to differentiate between an ink pen and a pin, aka straight pin, safety pin.

[glitzy07]

I'm totally imagining one of those feather pens that you have to dip in ink. lol

[Leeham Rimes]

I don't think I've heard anyone I know say ink pen. I guess I don't hang out with enough olds.

My grandmother used to say dungarees instead of jeans.

[BaliHai]

I used to hear this a lot when I worked at a bank from the older folks; everyone meant regular ballpoint pen.

[RexManningDay]

Mar 3, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

I'd guess, since we're talking about verbally, it is to differentiate between an ink pen and a pin, aka straight pin, safety pin.

So yeah maybe regional because to me, pen and pin cannot be confused.

[TR]

Mar 3, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

I'd guess, since we're talking about verbally, it is to differentiate between an ink pen and a pin, aka straight pin, safety pin.

Wut. You must be in the south, lol.

[miniroller]

That they're over 65; sorry jeaniebueller

[clairedunphy]

I think I say ink pen sometimes. I never thought about it, I just mean pen.
I am not that old.
I think a lot of people around me say that phrase.

[donthasslethehoff]

I live in the northeast and I've never heard this term used ever. That said, I would just assume someone meant any type of pen.

[Linie]

Could it be a pen which you have to fill up with ink - a fountain pen? As opposed to a ball pen?

[CrazyLucky]

I hear ink pen a lot and thought it was a regional thing, not an age thing. I don't remember ever hearing it growing up in NJ. And also, you could definitely confuse pin and pen here. They both kind of sound like peen.

[dottyblue]

Ink pen makes me think of my friend's mom who is from Georgia. She pronounced "pen" and "pin" both like "pihn". So she had to say "ink pihn" when she wanted a PEN. We were merciless teasing her as kids about it (she was a really good sport, LOL).

Also, dungarees? My grandmother got mad at me when I was like 12 and she wanted me to pick out some "dungarees" in the store. I didn't know what she was talking about and she thought I was being difficult. Old people.

[wambam]

Mar 3, 2017 10:44:08 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

I hear ink pen a lot and thought it was a regional thing, not an age thing. I don't remember ever hearing it growing up in NJ. And also, you could definitely confuse pin and pen here. They both kind of sound like peen.

Heh.

[notsopicky]

Mar 3, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

I'd guess, since we're talking about verbally, it is to differentiate between an ink pen and a pin, aka straight pin, safety pin.

That's actually the case--depending on accent (where you're from)--it can be hard to tell those 2 words apart. 

[shamrockshake]

All of the people in the southern locations of our company say ink pen, I assumed it was regional

[knx9211]

[nikki25]

Mar 3, 2017 10:21:52 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

Mar 3, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

I'd guess, since we're talking about verbally, it is to differentiate between an ink pen and a pin, aka straight pin, safety pin.

So yeah maybe regional because to me, pen and pin cannot be confused.

I noticed I say pin and pen pretty much the same way but most of us do around here I have definitely been asked to clarify. Regional :gavel:

[clairedunphy]

I saw Pen and Pin the same--like Pin.
Missouri. But I grew up in a rural area so that might make a difference.

[circa1978]

Mar 3, 2017 11:02:02 GMT -5 clairedunphy said:

I saw Pen and Pin the same--like Pin.
Missouri. But I grew up in a rural area so that might make a difference.

Agree. In STL it sounds pretty much the same. 

[Deleted]

Mar 3, 2017 9:58:39 GMT -5 glitzy07 said:

I'm totally imagining one of those feather pens that you have to dip in ink. lol

This exactly.  LOL

[starshine1977]

I think they are just saying use a regular pen and not a gel pen.

[sandyapples]

I have never heard anyone say "ink pen". I am around lots of old people, no southerners.

[pumpkin]

I'm not sure I've heard this distinction, but if I did I'd presume they'd want more of a rollerball type pen with wet ink as opposed to a ballpoint pen.
(And as there was talk of regionality, I'm in the PNW)

[wannabe]

The only people I've ever heard say this are old Filipino ladies. Makes me think of all my aunties.