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Lately on the HGTV and DIY programs I noticed that some people, especially in the southeast U.S say “cutting the grass.” I spent my first 40 years in California, then going on 26 here in Washington and have always said and heard “mowing the lawn.” Trivial, for sure, but curious if you think this is a geographic thing like soda/coke/pop.
Those two words have always been interchangeable and used equally, wherever I've been.
South Australia is 'the driest state in the driest continent'
I love beautifully kept lawns. However, in my state I think they're an indulgence. Also hate the work associated with maintaining a well kept lawn. Dislike artificial things, especially lawn, plants and hair.
The first thing I did when I moved into this house was to poison the front and back lawns. At the back, replaced with native ground covers, and allowed a large jasmine bush to spread. There are also two large Peppercorn trees, which badly need pruning
At the front, put in a few shrubs, such as Blue Juniper,(a prostrate conifer) a couple of Golden Diosma, a Bird of Paradise and two Cocos Island Palms--and 2 dozen Tea Roses. Once established, roses are drought tolerant, so require little watering. -plus a few a couple of native trees, a Melaleuca and native Franjipani (beautiful yellow flowers)
I assure you, all this sounds much better than it looks .
These days I pay a young bloke to do my gardening; I run out of puff.
Good point, tall weed grasses would be cutting grass since it’s not lawn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawk4042C
Cut the lawn, Cut the grass, Mow the grass, Mow the lawn, whatever.
It doesn't matter what you call it.
Just cut the messy long green stuff growing on the dirt.
I've never heard anyone say "cut the lawn." ... "Mow the grass" might be used by a farmer when referring to maintaining pasture, never in reference to a lawn.
In my neck of the mid-west, 'mow the lawn" and "cut the grass" are interchangeable with neither used preferably.
I voted for "cut the grass," though we also interchangeably say "mow the lawn" and "mow the grass." It's never been clear cut or a big deal.
I disagree that it's a "quality thing" though - or a class distinction - I think it may be regional or whatever but I don't think using any phrase necessarily means something more or less high class or "quality."
I think “quality” refers to the plantings not the people. Some yards are monocultures and others are just whatever grows cut short. A monoculture would be of higher visual appeal, higher maintenance, and probably considered higher quality ergo a “lawn”.
It's kind of cut the grass, cut the hay, but mow the hay field. I look at it more of a size thing. A lawn is something you have in the city that's small. If I say I'm going out the cut the grass, that tells my wife I'll be outside for a while and to please bring out a co-cola or some sweet tea in a little bit.
I think “quality” refers to the plantings not the people. Some yards are monocultures and others are just whatever grows cut short. A monoculture would be of higher visual appeal, higher maintenance, and probably considered higher quality ergo a “lawn”.
Sorry but that's not "the way it is" for everyone. My family has always taken great care of their grass, aka the lawn. We've generally lived in neighborhoods - and "grass" or "lawns" are babied on, but the terms are used interchangeably.
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