Wheels and wheel covers

[Repstock]

Has anyone noticed that even people who know cars use the words wheels, wheel covers, rims, and hubcaps as if they are all the same thing? Not a big deal, but what do you think about this?

[Junkman]

I'll start using the proper terms when Nobby stops saying "we blew the motor" after the engine went poof.

[Jordan White]

I have noticed that. To me, the definitions are:

wheels - metal parts of the rolling assembly, I always count the tires as a separate entity

wheel covers - metal for the older cars, and plastic for the newer cars, I consider these as the full facings that cover a steel wheel

rims - the rim of the wheel that the tire bead attaches to, I also like to use this for the entire wheel when making fun of the big shiny wheels on the donks and such; see "rimz"

hubcaps - whatever covers the wheel hub/center, may or may not also cover the lugnuts but doesn't cover the entire wheel

Edited October 19, 2011 by Jordan White

[Repstock]

I'll start using the proper terms when Nobby stops saying "we blew the motor" after the engine went poof.

Good point. I've heard that one, too.

[Greg Myers]

I'll start using the proper terms when Nobby stops saying "we blew the motor" after the engine went poof.

What if you're riding a "motor"cycle?

"motor"mounts?

Edited October 19, 2011 by Greg Myers

[Chuck Most]

General Motors?

Ford Motor Company?

American Motors Corporation?

Buick Motor Division...

[Greg Myers]

I think the car culture as a whole has some really interesting things going on when it comes to semantics/word usage.When you factor in the foreign influence, different racing aspects as well as the many different things going on ,on the streets (donks, hella, rat rods) there certainly is going to be some interesting use of terms.

I taught auto mechanics in the high school for many years and as an icebreaker the first day I would hand out cards and ask the students to talk about themselves car wise, with questions about their cars , dream cars, and automotive experiences ( God forbid I'd have Mario's kid in my class). It gave me a good idea how much any one student knew or didn't know just by their automotive vocabulary.

One more observation: The media and their penchant for "new" terms, words, or slang. I remember a few through the years. In reference to going to the "drags' the term "Digs" was used. Now where did that come from? "Hey Myers, wanna go to the DIGS ?" Then the media actually does "dig" up something from the past and trys to brig it back. I'll never get a handle on "GOW JOBS" they're Hot Rods.

Good thing we don't have to worry about "dizzys" in our cars any more.

Edited October 19, 2011 by Greg Myers

[Chuck Most]

I can handle 'Dizzy'. But I wince everytime somebody refers to Nitrous as 'Nauss'...

[Dr. Cranky]

Like with math or electricity, I often tune out when things get a bit technical. LOL!

[Eshaver]

I can handle 'Dizzy'. But I wince everytime somebody refers to Nitrous as 'Nauss'...

You sill de Mann Chuck !!!!!!!!!!!!! Ed Shaver