> But, please, what is the U.S.A. English term for the British back yard???? It occurs to me that in all of our essays on this subject (including mine), we haven't decided what term should be used when trying to describe this sort of space to an American. So, since there is no specific term in American English, what I recommend is that you use the generic phrase "work space." As in, "that's my work space, where I chop wood and wash the car." I think most Americans will understand that as a non-decorative space devoted to utilitarian purposes, which is what I think you're after. Hope that helps, Mike