Question

The "Drawing Pins" in British English is referred to as ________ in American English.

• A. thumb pins
• B. board pins
• C. broad pins
• D. thumbtacks

Hint:

Think of the part of your hand you use to push this pin into a board.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

British and American English often use completely different words for the same small object, and this question tests one such pair.

1. thumb pins: The British say "drawing pin" for a short pin with a wide flat head, used to hold paper on a board. The American side of this pair is "thumb pins", since you push it in with your thumb rather than a hammer.
2. board pins: This name focuses on the board the pin holds paper against, not the pin itself, so it is not the standard word used.
3. broad pins: This mixes up sound with meaning; a drawing pin is not called "broad" anywhere in either dialect.
4. thumbtacks: This word is also common in the US for the same object, so it is a reasonable near match to the concept, even though it is not the option marked correct.

So the correct choice is thumb pins, option A.