Re: [alfa] Nearside / Offside

["Debbie Stohn" <dstohn@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Having been a horsewoman practically from birth, and given the fact that the
horse/horse-and-buggy gave way to the car/truck, I agree with John
Hertzman's interpretation of the definitions for near and off sides of a
car!  A horseman/woman always mounts on the off side (left).  It doesn't
matter whether you fell on the off or near side!! Just as long as you fell
clear of the hooves!
Debbie Stohn
Campton, NH
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Hertzman" <johnhertzman@domain.elided>
To: "alfa-digest" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Cc: <100662.3423@domain.elided>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 6:41 PM
Subject: [alfa] Nearside / Offside


> I almost invariably agree with Keith Walker (as I certainly did in his
recent exception to Brad Anesi's loose use of 'factory recommended' for an
ARDONA modification: Alfa content) but his explanation that "Near side is
nearest the curb, off side is the side away from the curb" is at odds with
all dictionary explanations I have seen. All give 'near' and off' as left
and right respectively, not reversing them for countries, like the USA,
which drive and park on the wrong side of the road with opposite curbs.. The
staid, even archaic O.E.D. gives for 'near', "With reference to animals or
vehicles: left (as opposed to far, off, or right", and says that this use is
based on the fact that horses and cattle are commonly mounted, led, or
approached from the left, and gives numerous citations, the earliest in 1559
of "a filly with a white neare foote behinde". Paved urban streets with
curbs (or kerbs) may occasionally have existed that early, (streets yes,
curbs probably no) but if t!
> hey did they were certainly rare.
>
> All the best, with respect,
>
> John
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