Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 15:34:06 -0400 From: Dexter J <lamealameadingdongnopsamlamelame.org> Subject: Re: 1985 2 door turbo aero silver
Salutations: Paul Halliday wrote: > > in article ood68vsfrmo1s9k8tiuau9jln22irom411nopsamcom, Malcolm at > arpicnopsammail.com wrote on 27/03/2003 18:15: > > "Trunk" is the thing on the front of an elephant or a large lockable box for > travelling (on really old cars, ones trunk would be mounted on the back of > the car, so I can understand this one), "hood" is something that goes over > your head (so we use it to refer to the top of the car, particularly on > convertables) and a "fender" is an Americanism for "wing" :) Interestingly > enough, also a metal plate used to protect against the heat of a fire - see > "bonnet"; now we're confused. > > It's down to association or word with object, which is largely learned from > parent and peer passed down from generation to generation. > It was always my understanding that the differences in expression regarding the naming of the points in a car had more to do with the fact that in American the automobile was derived more from the Carriage - whereas in england they were more derived from the Steam Engine.. However - I think in the end it all has more to do with advertising the things as fiery road beasts in the States as compared to chummy, beloved family members in England.. You saw the 'Barracuda' in the States - the 'Bug Eyed Sprite' in England.. Both excellent cars in their applications.. Both prone to serious electrical and/or driveline failure (depending) But - for crossing the mighty Dakotas at 75mph+ - you want a beast - for tip toeing your careful way through the Midlands - you wanted something that was a bit more twitchy to avoid the sheep.. Not that either country didn't have it's share of manly or chummy cars (the Bentley or the Studebaker or the example) - but the image thing has more to do with naming conventions than anything to do with any weirdness.. Personally - I can't figure out why both of your most excellent nations were so stuck up about the metric system myself.. Now - kiss and make up before my one single refuge from the hordes of ranters and flag wavers on all sides turn up and I have to give up on the NG outright.. Slagging the English for their oily fries and knocking the Americans for their confusing attitude to fuel.. For shame.. :) .. I mean - what the heck - we all drive those weird SAABS here.. We now all run chummy fire breathing beasts good for tip toeing around sheep through the Dakotas at 75mph +.. -- J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/ all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/169.RAM
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