# Set tub: normal, regional, or wrong? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 12, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083 "2008-05-12T21:15:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/21 "2008-05-13T00:37:07Z")
[QUOTE=Billdo] Are you talking about what I’ve always referred to as a [slop sink](http://www.answers.com/topic/slop-sink-1). [/QUOTE] Yep, slop sink is what I’ve always called it. Although I’ve been a painter and used it for “slop paint.” ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/22 "2008-05-13T01:10:15Z")
I never heard the term before today. Here it would be the laundry tub, laundry sink, wash tub, or wash sink. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/23 "2008-05-13T01:19:59Z")
Butler sink is the term I know. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/24 "2008-05-13T01:40:34Z")
I have heard them called deep sinks, slop sinks, utility sinks or even laundry sinks, but never set sink. Another NJ/NY poster. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/25 "2008-05-13T02:01:29Z")
I think I called that the laundry tub, as I was growing up. But to be perfectly honest, I’m not entirely sure that was its name so much as a description. ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/26 "2008-05-13T02:04:00Z")
We call it a ''deep sink" 'round here. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/27 "2008-05-13T03:36:38Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I have heard them called deep sinks, slop sinks, utility sinks or even laundry sinks, but never set sink. [/QUOTE] Set tub, not set sink. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/28 "2008-05-13T13:32:33Z")
One more anecdote … Grew up in So Cal, lived in FL, NY, and several mid west locations. I’ve worked with people from all over the country. Nnever heard of “set tub” before. “Utility sink” would be my prefered term although “laundry room sink” would work too. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/29 "2008-05-13T16:18:43Z")
Grew up in PA, live in MA, always called it a utility sink. I’ve found that contractors & plumbers here in MA call it a “shit sink”, at least when there are no children or ladies present. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/30 "2008-05-13T17:37:54Z")
i’m from the deep south–always called it a utility sink or laundry sink. never heard your term before. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/31 "2008-05-13T17:52:24Z")
I grew up in Baltimore, and in my house it was called a stationary tub, a laundry tub, or a set tub. Never a sink. My wife grew up in Ohio and calls it a laundry tub. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/32 "2008-05-13T18:12:47Z")
West Coast. Out here, it’s called a “corpse dissolver.” ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/33 "2008-05-13T18:34:03Z")
SF native, never heard it. I think I’ve heard “utility sink” before, and I think I could figure out most of these other terms, but not “set tub.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/34 "2008-05-13T19:22:46Z")
I wonder if the “set” in “set tub” is meant to connote two basins. The old ones I remember always had two basins-- a set of tubs? Just a guess. Anyway, I’ve always called it a set tub, and I have no idea where I picked that up from. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/35 "2008-05-13T19:54:36Z")
We call it a “utility sink.” Quick story: My office has a little tiny sink in the alcove that holds the microwave, frig and cabinets. A 180 degree turn and you are facing a closet with cleaning supplies and a big utility sink. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen people try to fill big containers from the little kitchen sink. I tell them to “turn around, you idiot.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/36 "2008-05-13T20:13:19Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] We call it a “utility sink.” Quick story: My office has a little tiny sink in the alcove that holds the microwave, frig and cabinets. A 180 degree turn and you are facing a closet with cleaning supplies and a big utility sink. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen people try to fill big containers from the little kitchen sink. I tell them to “turn around, you idiot.” [/QUOTE] Next time, tell them to use the set tub and see what they say. Actually, I don’t think I’d call it that unless it was in a garage or laundry room. Don’t ask me why, but it just has that connotation to me. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/37 "2008-05-13T20:57:38Z")
NY / NJ – laundry sink or utility sink. Never heard of set tub. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/38 "2008-05-14T00:02:57Z")
Checked with a Mainer I know - she says it’s a washing sink. (Laundry is washing in Maine.) I’m from Iowa, and I don’t even think we had a name for 'em. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/39 "2008-05-14T00:30:34Z")
I grew up in Michigan and Florida, and have always called it a deep sink. I believe that’s a common Navy term for it as well. Never heard of a set tub. ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083/40 "2008-05-14T16:27:15Z")
Never heard “set tub” in the Pittsburgh area (and we’re known for some odd words). I’ve heard my husband call it the “sanitary sink.” I’ve never heard that term outside his family, but it makes sense to me. We always called it the laundry tub(s). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/set-tub-normal-regional-or-wrong/449083.md?page=3)