[wileyone]

A bit of help understanding the basic difference between glycerin and glycerol would be very helpful. Can't seen to get my head wrapped around the idea.

[discodermolide]

There is no difference, they both refer to the same thing.

[Arkcon]

An archaic name vs. a more archaic name, I'm sad to say.   That's the difference between glycerol and glycerin(e).  Notice now why we needed IUPAC naming: propane-1,2,3-triol  tells you the carbon chain, tells you the modifiers, and where.  And no one's going to change the meaning or spelling of 1, 2, or 3 anytime soon.

[wileyone]

Your replies helped to clarify, thank you. Wiki is great and all but..
While bouncing around in Wiki land propylene glycol also came to my attention. Please notice how influenced I am by similar sounding compounds and such... 
Glycerol and propylene glycol are obviously different. Is it possible to explain in common household language how different? Any true similarities between them? Thank you for your patience.

[Babcock_Hall]

Propylene glycol is a less toxic antifreeze than ethylene glycol.  It has the same number of carbons as glycerol, but one fewer hydroxyl group.