: Is 'temping' a culture-specific term? I have a character working in a short-term temporary position in an organisation and refer to her doing the work using the usual UK word, 'temping'. Will

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We have Temp Agencies in America, that, as their name implies, find temporary work for people. The people who work in temporary positions are referred to as "temps." I first heard the word in ordinary conversation when a friend referred to an acquaintance as a temp. So I recognized the verb "temping" immediately.

However, I'd never heard "temp" used as a verb, so out of curiosity, I did a google search to see if "temping" as a verb occurs in American English. Yes, it does. Here's an American article that came up: www.bestessaywriters.com/essay/the-temptations-of-temping/

I also found "temping" in this online American dictionary: www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/temp_2
(Underneath the definition, the user can click on "See the British English Definition", which in this case was the same as the American definition.)

So, I'd say you're safe to use it for your American readers. Perhaps you can do a country-specific search to determine if it exists in other English-speaking countries.

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I believe the word "temping" is culturally-specific, but not along national lines of culture. An American with experience in corporate environments where temps are common would know the word. A Brit without that corporate experience might not.

In either case, the word is pretty self-explanatory. I would use it without hesitation in anything I wrote.

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