English as she is spoke?

["John Fielding" <johnf@domain.elided>]

Some Alfa content - a little anyway!

Hi all Alfisti's and seasons greetings from a hot and sticky South Africa - 32C today!!

I have been pondering the usage of the English language both by the British and our
American cousins.  Although we both claim to speak English much of the technical
terminology is different.  Trying to hold a conversation when the other party doesn't
understand some of the words is very counter-productive.   

For example "Space Shuttle" in English would become "A part of an areo-space weaving
loom"  see what I mean?  How can a "water tap" become "fawcet"?  this confuses the hell
out me and other English speaking Brits.

So I have endeavoured to put together a list of common car terminology (that I have
managed to work out) which should assist both our British and American readers.  The list
is by no means complete - I am still trying to work out what a "rocker panel" is, some
part of the bodywork?

Well here goes, add to it if you like and post on any corrections, so when an American
mentions he is having a problem with a "fender" us Brits will know he means a "bumper" or
is it a "wing"?

American version		British version

muffler				exhaust (silencer)
Bondo				fibreglass filler
tire				tyre
lug nut				wheel nut
points				contact breaker
wrist pin				gudgeon pin
headers (exhaust)		exhaust manifold 
tie-rod joint			steering arm knuckle joint
sway bar			anti-roll bar
shocks				hydraulic dampers
hood (lid)			bonnet (lid)
trunk				boot
monkey wrench			adjustable spanner
(Brake) rotor			Brake disc
B+				positive voltage
windshield			windscreen
shift lever			gear lever
transmission			gear box & or whole transmission system
guibi ?spelling			flexible rubber coupling
cam follower			tappet
tube				valve		(just snook that in to see who is awake)!
dashboard			instrument panel
tacho				rev counter
us gallon			a bit smaller than the British one!
quart				2 pints (OK us Brits know what a quart is)!
gasoline				petrol
cotter pin			split pin
nyloc nut				Simmonds nut
zip wrap				tie wrap
snap ring			circlip
firewall				bulkhead
Barrel				Choke/venturi
Lash				clearance/backlash
Ring gear			Crownwheel
spacer				distance piece
axleshaft			half-shaft
float bowl			float-chamber
Pitman arm			drop-arm
Generator			Dynamo
latches				locks
Denatured alcohol		Methylated spirits
gas tank				petrol tank
gas pedal			accelerator
Driveshaft			propshaft
recap (tire)			retread
back-up				reverse
spindle arm			steering arm
sedan				saloon
turn signal			indicator
oil-pan				sump

well that's enough for one lesson!!

Have a peaceful Xmas and what out for Y3K!!

John Fielding

from the Rainbow Nation

1985 Alfetta 1800cc  (hill-climb car soon to be)
1998 Fiat Uno Turbo  0-100km/h in 7,7s
1989 Honda Ballade 1500/16V	wifes shopping trolley.

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