Just a rant...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Just a rant...
I read and watch videos of peoples cars and this is one of my biggest pt peeves. Everyone says,,MY MOTOR has x amount of horse power,,So here is my rant,,, if it runs of fuel it is an ENGINE,,a motor is electric.........I know its hust me, but it erks me....
Popular Reply
Apr 29, 2024, 03:33 PM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
Motor Trend, MotorWeek, motor boat, motorcycle, Mid America Motorworks... 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,489
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Same here. Since i was a kid, if its electric, its a MOTOR. Everything else is an ENGINE. I work on boats and i still hate they call outboards MOTORS....rant over
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 382
From: People's Republic of Nueva York
Right. That's why the company that built our cars is named General Engines.
I removed the less relevant references, but the definitions are basically interchangeable.
Carry on.
motor (plural motors)
- A machine or device that converts other energy forms into mechanical energy, or imparts motion.
- (colloquial) A motor car, or automobile, even a goods vehicle. quotations ▼Nice motor!
- (figuratively) A source of power for something; an inspiration; a driving force.
- A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc. [from 14th c.] quotations ▼
- A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects. [from 16th c.]
- The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion. [from 19th c.]
- A self-powered vehicle, especially a locomotive, used for pulling cars along a track. [from 19th c.]
I removed the less relevant references, but the definitions are basically interchangeable.
Carry on.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 382
From: People's Republic of Nueva York
The first time I had this discussion with another pedantic mechanic I looked up the definitions and came to the same interpretation. That was probably twenty years ago. I'm glad some things stay the same. At least this hasn't been effected by woke engine-identity politics. Yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,618
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
This reminds me of how much in annoys me when I'm talking to someone about guns and they tell me about the "clip". Unless you're shooting an M1 Garand or something that uses stripper clips it's not a clip. It's a magazine. Man that one gets me fired up lol.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 6,463
From: Melbourne, FL
The first time I had this discussion with another pedantic mechanic I looked up the definitions and came to the same interpretation. That was probably twenty years ago. I'm glad some things stay the same. At least this hasn't been effected by woke engine-identity politics. Yet.
