Would an elderly American put out the light?

It depends: Is the elderly American Joe Cocker? (Yes, I know...he's actually English, though a long-time US resident.)

More seriously, I'd say either is fine, though "turn off" would be higher frequency.

Thank you.
Joe Cocker? Reflex reaction: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJWxPE8G2c]

Well actually, elderly Americans of all ages, especially the expat community here in France, never turn off lights.

Edited by: textibule
Oh, maybe at bedtime.

Wouldn't like to see their electricity Guillaume.

This elderly American agrees with zashibis.

Does it make a difference whether the elderly American talks about a candle or electric light?

Ordinarily I would say "blow out" a candle. I don't know what I would say if I were using one of those hoods with handles that are used to extinguish candles. Probably "put out". Not "turn off".

That's what I thought: "put out" for candles but "turn off" when operating the light switch.

That hooded thing, I just discovered is variously called a douter+ or +snuffer. I hadn't heard "douter" before. I do know that snuffing a candle did not originally mean to put it out, but rather to use a wierd-looking kind of scissors (called candle snuffers) to cut off the charred wick. Keeping the wick trimmed prevented soot and kept the candle burning longer. "Snuff" originally meant that charred portion of the wick. Origin unknown.

If I used the hood thing, I'd probably say I "snuffed the candle." For electric things with switches, I'd "turn it off." However, as I sit here chanting phrases, I see that I'd use "put out" for emphasis.
For Pete's sake, put out the light & go to bed!

Quick! Put out the light so they don't see us!