Mildly humorous term "Pink slips"

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: OilyWaterMIXER


When the internal combustion engine was invented, the term "motor" was initially used to distinguish it from the steam engine—which was in wide use at the time, powering locomotives and other vehicles such as steam rollers. "Motor" and "engine" later came to be used interchangeably in casual discourse. However, technically, the two words have different meanings. An engine is a device that burns or otherwise consumes fuel, changing its chemical composition, whereas a motor is a device driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, which does not change the chemical composition of its energy source.



I always had the impression that it had to do with the size of the device as well. We say "steam ENGINE," not "steam motor," and "electric MOTOR," not "electric engine." Though the British refer to car engines often as "motors," and refer to "going motoring" when driving, not "going engine-ing" (which would be awkward). Perhaps "motor" arose from the sense of "that which moves or causes to move," like the "motor system" part of the central nervous system?

Would a windmill or water wheel technically be a motor, operated by air or water pressure?

 

[raytseng]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
Originally Posted By: Jetronic


Really? because the german word for "Engine" is actually "Motor"


Right? How can one justify the names BMW or General Motors if they feel engine is the only acceptable term. But more importantly, are they really so idealistic* as to use the term enginecycle to refer to a motorcycle?

*forum censor wouldn't allow actual word choice


This is a bit of a straw man, because a compound word isn't the same as the combination of words once the compound word has been coined. The compound word is it's own thing separate from it's parts.
Just like "companion" doesn't mean eating with bread anymore. Or "rewind" means has nothing to do with winding anymore.

The issue you're getting at is who's the arbitrator? Is it just 1 picky guy making the decision?
The answer is the industry itself. So they uses the specific terms of the writing they only refer to the engine as the engine. You won't find any manuals or that refer to the engine as a motor, but they'll still use motor vehicle, motorcycle, and sometimes (but rarely) motor oil instead of engine oil.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: OilyWaterMIXER
Originally Posted By: Jetronic
Originally Posted By: DB_Cooper
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
How the common is soon forgotton.

Kidz on the Yaris and Suzuki forums were making fun of my referring to a car's tranmission

as a "tranny".

That has a different connotation these days.

ps:

And for those how say, '... you Don't call and engine a motor ...! "

Only dorks would bring this up. Go Tell that to the hundreds of HIGHLY paid professional racers and engine builders - they'll lift you by your shoulders and toss you out in the grass

Back in the 80's I worked as a Porsche tech and had Porsche factory "engine" training at Porsche. Long story short..if you called an "engine" a "motor"..you were forgiven once..the second time..you were called out in class..the third time you were sent home.

Off topic..sorry.."pinks" just a west coast slang for the title


Really? because the german word for "Engine" is actually "Motor"


When the internal combustion engine was invented, the term "motor" was initially used to distinguish it from the steam engine—which was in wide use at the time, powering locomotives and other vehicles such as steam rollers. "Motor" and "engine" later came to be used interchangeably in casual discourse. However, technically, the two words have different meanings. An engine is a device that burns or otherwise consumes fuel, changing its chemical composition, whereas a motor is a device driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, which does not change the chemical composition of its energy source.

Quote:
The word "engine" derives from Old French engin, from the Latin ingenium–the root of the word ingenious. Pre-industrial weapons of war, such as catapults, trebuchets and battering rams, were called "siege engines", and knowledge of how to construct them was often treated as a military secret. The word "gin", as in "cotton gin", is short for "engine". Most mechanical devices invented during the industrial revolution were described as engines—the steam engine being a notable example. However, the original steam engines, such as those by Thomas Savery, were not mechanical engines but pumps. In this manner, a fire engine in its original form was merely a water pump, with the engine being transported to the fire by horses.

In modern usage, the term engine typically describes devices, like steam engines and internal combustion engines, that burn or otherwise consume fuel to perform mechanical work by exerting a torque or linear force (usually in the form of thrust). Examples of engines which exert a torque include the familiar automobile gasoline and diesel engines, as well as turboshafts. Examples of engines which produce thrust include turbofans and rockets.

When the internal combustion engine was invented, the term "motor" was initially used to distinguish it from the steam engine—which was in wide use at the time, powering locomotives and other vehicles such as steam rollers. "Motor" and "engine" later came to be used interchangeably in casual discourse. However, technically, the two words have different meanings. An engine is a device that burns or otherwise consumes fuel, changing its chemical composition, whereas a motor is a device driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, which does not change the chemical composition of its energy source.[3] However, rocketry uses the term rocket motor, even though they consume fuel.

A heat engine may also serve as a prime mover—a component that transforms the flow or changes in pressure of a fluid into mechanical energy.[4] An automobile powered by an internal combustion engine may make use of various motors and pumps, but ultimately all such devices derive their power from the engine. Another way of looking at it is that a motor receives power from an external source, and then converts it into mechanical energy, while an engine creates power from pressure (derived directly from the explosive force of combustion or other chemical reaction, or secondarily from the action of some such force on other substances such as air, water, or steam).[5]

Devices converting heat energy into motion are commonly referred to simply as engines.[6]


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine

Quote:
Bayerische Motoren Werke


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW


The motor thing cracks me up! Next time someone rags on you for calling it a motor,bust out with a quart or jug of oil and show them the label where it says "Motor Oil".

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I have a problem coming to the New England area, where they call Lunch - Dinner. Now that confused me.
Along with Frappe and Milkshake. Then, of course, the old 'tonic' debacle.
In Indianna a Milkshake had icecream in it usually.

 

[John_Conrad]

supper is usually the evening meal, especially when dinner(the principal meal of the day) is taken at noon, unless if you make your evening meal the principal meal of the day, then you can call it dinner...

 

[BigCahuna]

I've been let go from alot of jobs (nature of union work) and I have never received a pink slip. Just my last paycheck, which wasn't pink.,,,

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: John_Conrad
supper is usually the evening meal, especially when dinner(the principal meal of the day) is taken at noon, unless if you make your evening meal the principal meal of the day, then you can call it dinner...


But how many say they are going out with their spouse this evening on a supper-date?

I think most say they are going out to dinner. They are not talking about a mid-day romantic meal. It's usually an evening meal.

I am amazed that any non-native English speaker can learn our language.