Why do Americans call cinemas theatres?

[kilésengati]

Most of the world calls those houses that display films cinemas or kinos, but the U.S. calls them theatres. Meanwhile, most of Europe, calls places that present plays theatres.

What the heck, 'Murica! Why?

[Enterprofilenamehere]

I guess because traditional theatres and movie theatres are fairly similar in basic concept. They are both places where people sit down to watch actors tell stories through their acting. One is just recorded video of said performance, while the other is live.

[Irene ❤]

If you will buy a lot of popcorn, it's th-eater.
If your parents are bringing you there, then it's cine-ma.

[kilésengati]

Messaggio originale di Enterprofilenamehere:

I guess because traditional theatres and movie theatres are fairly similar in basic concept. They are both places where people sit down to watch actors tell stories through their acting. One is just recorded video of said performance, while the other is live.

Fair enough, but a live play requires much more sophisticated equipment and more staff and space. Also no play is like another and actors can interact with the audience in more and much different ways, which is why people go to theatres (not cinemas) in the first place.
Whilst the basic concept is very similar, the execution and result is anything but. They are different types of media with different architectural and engineering needs to perform best.

[Masque]

Why do Brits call car trunks "boots".

There are many mysteries in the languages of man.

I could care less. Or I couldn't care less. One of those.

[Jonathan Sensei]

Messaggio originale di Masque:

Why do Brits call car trunks "boots".

There are many mysteries in the languages of man.

I could care less. Or I couldn't care less. One of those.

Drivers of horse-drawn carriages had a storage area i.e, the trunk where they kept there things including their boots.

[Masque]

When I lived in Boston, the glove compartment was simply "the glove".

"Where''s that map?"

"It's in the glove."

[kilésengati]

Messaggio originale di Masque:

Why do Brits call car trunks "boots".

There are many mysteries in the languages of man.

I could care less. Or I couldn't care less. One of those.

I like estates with big boots and stylish bonnets!

[Masque]

Messaggio originale di kilésengati:

I like estates with big boots and stylish bonnets!

"...and I cannot lie." -- Sir Mix-a-Lot unfinished draft

[Fire Angel]

The same reason we call football soccer, because language changes when separated.

[Elucidator]

Not the places, but the plays themselves are called theatres

Where I live, the building where one can watch theatre shows are called, roughly translated "looking castle". e.e;
A 'movie theatre' over here is called most often a bioscope.

In case you wonder what that means:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioscope


I suspect the US calls it theatre because the design of the buildings where movies can be watched is based on a stage where one could watch a theatre play, and perhaps in the old days, was where the first movies would be projected onto a screen. It could also very well be a term used by the news and TV to make it seem as if the movie industry was for the rich and wealthy, much like plays were. .. a buzz word basically. (I can see that happen at least). It makes it all sound, a lot more formal and rich.

[Masque]

Ok, now why are the biggest areas of wars called theatres?

[Enterprofilenamehere]

Messaggio originale di Masque:

Why do Brits call car trunks "boots".

There are many mysteries in the languages of man.

I could care less. Or I couldn't care less. One of those.

My guess is that transformers are actually real and revealed themselves some time in the past, after which a vast conspiracy was created among the entire population of Earth at the time to cover it up from future generations to protect the transformer's whereabouts from being revealed to the Decepticons. The trunk is where the transformer's feet came out, and thus any footwear they are wearing when they transform back into a car remains there. Over time the slang "robot boot locker" developed, which was shortened to "the boot" as one of the lesser thought-out parts of the conspiracy.

[pants]

Messaggio originale di Enterprofilenamehere:

Messaggio originale di Masque:

Why do Brits call car trunks "boots".

There are many mysteries in the languages of man.

I could care less. Or I couldn't care less. One of those.

My guess is that transformers are actually real and revealed themselves some time in the past, after which a vast conspiracy was created among the entire population of Earth at the time to cover it up from future generations to protect the transformer's whereabouts from being revealed to the Decepticons. The trunk is where the transformer's feet came out, and thus any footwear they are wearing when they transform back into a car remains there. Over time the slang "robot boot locker" developed, which was shortened to "the boot" as one of the lesser thought-out parts of the conspiracy.

i think you may well be right

[Felonious Punk]

Talkies and movies are pretty silly words.

[Apexnexius]

Messaggio originale di LadyAnn0816:

because we are idiots at most things