|
|---|
|
MORE AUTOMOBILE NAMES Publication: The New York Times Date: 24 July 1899 |
To the Editor of The New York Times:
The mechanical or self-propelled vehicle for use on streets is drawing so much public attention and meeting with its approval and demand so rapidly, that it seems strange no satisfactory name has has yet been given it, and as this question is one that has come up recently in some of the papers, I have taken the idea under consideration, and, I believe, finally solved the problem.
To such vehicles name name horseless carriage, automobile, motovehicle, electric carriage, autocar, electromobile, gasoline wagon, &c., cannot be used when speaking of the operator and retain the name of the vehicle, or distinguish the sex of the operator, or, in fact, distinguish the operator at all, let alone any distinction of the act of running such a vehicle. What is required is a name that, in speaking of an operator of either sex or the act of driving, will carry with it the name of the vehicle itself, and also a name broad enough in its application to apply to any form of self-propelled vehicle, whether electric, gasoline, steam, or any other form of motive power.
The name I wish to suggest to the public is a name which fulfills all of these requirements, and that is the name autobaine, which translated, means automatic wagon, baine being derived from an old Greek word meaning wagon; so we have for the name of the vehicle, autobaine; autobaineer, as applied to a man operator, autobaineeress, as applied to a woman operator, and autobaining or autobaineering, for the act of using the vehicle, in addition to which this name is applicable to any kind or form of self-propelled vehicle. C. E. WOODS.
Chicago, July 6, 1899
To the Editor of The New York Times:
The struggles of each correspondent
In seeking proper nomenclature
For the Automobile,
Would make a verbophile despondent
And lose his faith in human nature—
At least, that's how I feel.
Away with Greek and Latin hybrids!
“Auto's,” “Electro's” and all such like
Contortions of title.
By which word coiners make their sly bids
For fame and glory. (These I'd much like
For my own requital:
Because why?) I have got the proper
Name for these horseless apparati—
It's simply “GOALONE.”
That's Anglo-Saxon, I will bet a copper,
And it's original; to what I
Make my proud boast to own.
S. N. ILWAR.
Durango, Col., July 15, 1899.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
Why not put an end to the discussion and give the new-comer the name of “bile,” using the French pronounciation, (beel,) which will, no doubt, fall glibly from the tongues of most of those who are likely to use the carriage?
It may be said that “bile” might be confounded with “bill,” and that, in response to an order over the “phone,” the gentlemanly auto-stable might send around his little account, but that presupposes a state of ignorance not warranted by the facts.
Again, it may be said that confusion might become worse confounded by giving a long sound to the letter “i.” Perish the thought! “That's all in me eye.”
It seems to me that it is the height of folly to go far afield for a name when so good a name is right at hand. Another case of “couldn't see the town for the houses.”
New York, July 7, 1899 R. D. JONES.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
Why is it necessary to go so far for a name for our new motor, as seems to be the idea of many of your correspondents? Why not simply, electro motor, car, cab, stage, carriage, or whatever the vehicle? Or the same for steam, gas, naphtha, compressed air, (or air for short,) or whatever the motive power? This possibly would be too simple a designation for Boston, but would answer for the country at large.
I. S. BOSTWICK.
St. Albans, Vt., July 18, 1899.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
I propose that we call the autocar “ tommy ” for short. How smoothly the word glides from the lips! When my lady wants a hitch for a drive in the park or on the road, all she need say to the coachman is “tommy.” The jehus of Broadway or Fifth Avenue, or any other avenue, would save a lot of breath and unnecessary exertion, and instead of saying “Want a cab?” need ask but “Tommy?” Short, sweet, and cheap—as I know by experience.
TOMMY.
New York, July 20, 1899.