Proper term usage

[Warren F.]

I notice several members on this discussion board are careful to use proper vernacular when describing an item.

I'm curious to know why the Corvette is referred to as a roadster, by many, when in fact, I believe it is either a convertible or coupe AFTER the 1955 model.

Is this not right?

[Mike M.]

Re: Proper term usage

you are correct. 53 to 55 vetes were technically roadsters(no roll up door windows). in 56, with the introduction of windows/regulators in the doors, one could call it a convertible or cabriolet. mike

[Gary S.]

Re: Proper term usage

Well, this has been talked about several times. The Gurus will also tell you about engine blocks versus the more technically correct phrase -engine casing(?) and other phrases that those of us who don't better use.

Come on guys - jump in here and lets hear what those are. Personally, I am on your side; I think that roadster refers to side curtains such as those on early Corvettes and some English cars.

Gary

[Roy B.]

Re: Proper term usage Mike is correct *NM*

[Michael H.]

Re: Proper term usage

Gary,

Agree. I've always disliked the term "roadster" when refering to a Corvette conv. It reminds me of some 1930's car with a racoon tail and wolf whistle. I suppose "cylinder and case" is ok for an engine block, and it is correct, but it's too long and the term "block" is easier and more universally accepted.

One that is almost universally accepted as a substitute for clutch housing is "bell housing" but I've never seen a bell inside of one. I looked in the alphabetical listing in the parts book and there isn't even a bell listed, in any group.

The one that I really never cared for was "pig", or "payg" as it's most often pronounced, when refering to a differential assy. I have no idea where that came from, unless it refers to the somewhat similar appearance of a pig's head.

Shocks don't produce shocks. They absorb shocks, I guess, but we still call them shocks.

And what about that "glove compartment. Is that all that's allowed in there?

Where did "dash board" come from? Isn't it supposed to be called an "instrument panel"? As with the "bell" in bell housing, there's no "dash" listed in the parts book.

I'm sure this list could be quite long if I thought about it for a few minutes.

Michael

[mike cobine]

Re: Proper term usage

Our language isn't supposed to make sense. An easy reference is that joke that probably has been circulated a dozen times to everyone here, the one with:

Park in a driveway, but drive on a parkway, etc, etc.

And shocks don't absorb, they dampen the harmonics of the spring. So they are really dampeners, as any good English student knows. Springs absorb the shocks. Dampeners absorb the harmonic oscillations of the springs.

[Duke W.]

Re: Proper term usage

How about people - which is just about everyone - who say "oh" when they mean "zero" - like Z06. That's a zero, folks, not an "oh". Even Dave Hill doesn't say it correctly!

And why not call shock absorbers what they really are - DAMPERS!

Duke

[Mike E.]

Re: Proper term usage

I do believe that it is known as a "dash" because of all the foreheads that have been dashed against them in sudden stops and collisions. A somewhat morbid designation!

[Duke W.]

Re: Proper term usage

Not "dampen' (or "dampner"). It's "damp" (and "damper".)

Duke

[Donald M.]

Re: Proper term usage

OK, I'll jump in! The differential assy. is called a "pumpkin" at least in a rubber axle Vette, due to it's resemblance to said vegetable. Also, "dashboard" was taken from the original vertical wooden panel which separated the passenger/driver area on a horse drawn wagon from the, well...horse. It also prevented one from being ejected forward (dashed) out of the wagon during bumpy rides or sudden slowing of the motive force (horse).Modern automobiles still retain the term "dash" to refer to the flat,vertical portion of the front of the body or "firewall" which actually slowed engine fires from spreading to the passenger compartment. Damn, I'm old!

[Donald O.]

Re: Proper term usage

Gabriel shocks were the first to market a "Snubber" for controlling spring jounce.
Don

[Mike McKown]

Re: Proper term usage

Don:

For legal reasons, a "firewall" has not been nomenclatured as such. It has been called a dash panel for years.

[Donald M.]

Re: Proper term usage

Mike, I knew that, my intent was to mention a term that was familiar to us all. As can be seen on AIM sheet or Process Sheets, such terms as "F-O-D -"Front of Dash" are used, usually with an arrow pointing from the front of the body.
Don

[Larry W.]

You may be old but obviously with age comes wisdom *NM*

[Mike McKown]

Re: Proper term usage

I knew you knew that Don, but I bet a lot of people don't.