US speak to English speak

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill
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Bill

What are the equivalent type of cars.

I am assuming that a wagon is what we call an estate, ie, no trunk, longer,
with a back door. A sedan is a saloon, with a trunk at the back. We call
the trunk a boot. Backup lights are reversing lights, the hood is a bonnet,
and the windshield is a windscreen. So what do you call a hatchback, saloon
length, but with an opening rear door.

Never really thought about it much until getting my Volvo and looking at
predominately American postings to various forums. Backup lights really go
me going, I though Volvo's had mysterious lights that came on if the bulb
failed!

Bill
 
Here is some Canadian (probably with a German twist)

It will be British first, then Canadian:

Estate, or Estate wagon: Wagon, Station Wagon, 5 Door.
Saloon: Sedan (4 door), Coupe (2 door)
Hatchback: Hatchback, 5 door, 3 door
Boot: Trunk
Bonnet: Hood
Reversing lights: Reverse lights (I have never heard of backup lights,
sounds British to me tho)
Windscreen: Windsheild (I use both)
Tyres: Tires (I use both)
Dipped beam: Low beams

Do you call a Convertible a Cabriolet?

4 way flashers I have heard of Hazards, Emergency lights

I honestly don't know what parking lights are, as my cars don't allow me to
shut of my main beams, apparantly parking lights are ambers only

Do you call fog lights driving lights? Or are driving lights seperate things
altogether.
 
From a point at sea, to the circles of your mind, this is Rob
Guenther:
Here is some Canadian (probably with a German twist)

It will be British first, then Canadian:

Estate, or Estate wagon: Wagon, Station Wagon, 5 Door.
Click to expand...

What's all this 'Estate' business? Shirley you mean 'Shooting Brake.'

[..]
Do you call fog lights driving lights?
Click to expand...

Only on a Friday or Saturday night, when it is necessary to impress
the neighbourhood with your fascinating personality by turning your
fog lights on.
Or are driving lights seperate things
altogether.
Click to expand...

You often hear of people talking about 'driving lights,' but they are
quite mistaken - there is no such thing in the UK. The law is quite
specific about lights and the conditions under which they can be used.
Basically, if they are not a headlight, then they are, by definition,
a fog light. Fog lights may only be used under conditions of adverse
visibility.

And on Friday and Saturday nights, obviously.



--

Stewart Hargrave

A lot faster than public transport


For email, replace 'SpamOnlyToHere' with my name
 
Backup lights are mentioned regularly in SwedishBricks forums.

Parking lights can be pilot lights, parking lights or side lights, depending
wether you drive a Rolls or a Ford! I had a lift in a Rolls once, and the
driver asked me if I had been in one before. "Not in the front" I replied.

Cabriolet is the same here, commonly known as convertable or soft top.

Fog lights are just that, fog lights. Our driving lights are our
headlights.

Hazards are hazards, commonly known as four ways.

Petrol is gas, and the sidewalk is the pavement.

Thank heavens for American films or it would be like learning a new
language.

Bill
 
Hi Stewart,

Can't you buy Lucas "Flamethrowers" in the UK any more? I had an old Jowet
Bradford over there with wobbly headlights bolted to the fenders
(mudguards.......) In frustration I finally ripped them off, filled the
holes and mounted a Lucas fog light on the bumper curb-side. It produced a
wide flat beam, fantastic in falling snow as well as fog. Later when I
could afford it, I invested in a Lucas "Flame Thrower" and mounted it on the
bumper, driver's side. That was a real DRIVING LIGHT! It produced a narrow
long range beam. Finally I had a brainwave and fitted a switch to alternate
between the two, a dimmer switch!! (dipper switch to you). I guess
regulations have tightened up somewhat since then, even in the boonies (
country-side) where I was indulging in these activities.

Andy I. (Volvo 445 -not 544; 122S wagon; 121; 142; 145 wagon; 245 wagon; 245
"Classic" wagon.)


Stewart Hargrave said:
From a point at sea, to the circles of your mind, this is Rob
Guenther:
Here is some Canadian (probably with a German twist)

It will be British first, then Canadian:

Estate, or Estate wagon: Wagon, Station Wagon, 5 Door.
Click to expand...

What's all this 'Estate' business? Shirley you mean 'Shooting Brake.'

[..]
Do you call fog lights driving lights?
Click to expand...

Only on a Friday or Saturday night, when it is necessary to impress
the neighbourhood with your fascinating personality by turning your
fog lights on.
Or are driving lights seperate things
altogether.
Click to expand...

You often hear of people talking about 'driving lights,' but they are
quite mistaken - there is no such thing in the UK. The law is quite
specific about lights and the conditions under which they can be used.
Basically, if they are not a headlight, then they are, by definition,
a fog light. Fog lights may only be used under conditions of adverse
visibility.

And on Friday and Saturday nights, obviously.



--

Stewart Hargrave

A lot faster than public transport


For email, replace 'SpamOnlyToHere' with my name
Click to expand...
 
Do you call fog lights driving lights? Or are driving lights seperate things
altogether.
Click to expand...

Fog lights and driving lights are two separate things.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo
 
Don't forget the Hooter (Horn).

JJ

Rob Guenther said:
Here is some Canadian (probably with a German twist)

It will be British first, then Canadian:

Estate, or Estate wagon: Wagon, Station Wagon, 5 Door.
Saloon: Sedan (4 door), Coupe (2 door)
Hatchback: Hatchback, 5 door, 3 door
Boot: Trunk
Bonnet: Hood
Reversing lights: Reverse lights (I have never heard of backup lights,
sounds British to me tho)
Windscreen: Windsheild (I use both)
Tyres: Tires (I use both)
Dipped beam: Low beams

Do you call a Convertible a Cabriolet?

4 way flashers I have heard of Hazards, Emergency lights

I honestly don't know what parking lights are, as my cars don't allow me to
shut of my main beams, apparantly parking lights are ambers only

Do you call fog lights driving lights? Or are driving lights seperate things
altogether.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Alex,

Pull the other one...............It's got bells on it :-) .... or is that
your tongue stuck in your cheek? I almost took your question seriously
until I looked at the "Lighting" website you provided and found this:

"Auxiliary Lamp Harnesses and Relay Installation Kits
RIK-AUX Relay kit for custom installation of two fog or DRIVING LAMPS, $40."

Otherwise I was going to refer you to my earlier post mentioning Lucas
"Flamethrowers".............. but I see now that won't be
necessary..........

Happy DRIVING!
Andy I.




 
Pull the other one...............It's got bells on it :-) .... or is that
your tongue stuck in your cheek? I almost took your question seriously
until I looked at the "Lighting" website you provided and found this:
Click to expand...

Um, my TV and hair dryer use the same sort of electrical plug. Do you
mean to tell me they're both the same thing? I'll have to try sticking my
head into the TV next time...

It looks like Daniel has taken down his FAQ.. hmm.

Most of his usenet posts allude to the fact that driving and fog lamps are
indeed different things. Here's a post that should clarify what I was
trying to convey:

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=Pine.SOL.4.02.9809240119040.1731-100000@kevlar.engin.umich.edu

- alex
 
Sorry, Alex, I didn't make myself clear. Quoting the item from the website
was intended to show that you know perfectly well what Driving Lights are,
and the difference between Driving Lights and FOG lights.

My reference to the Lucas "Flamethrowers" in my first post, I should have
thought, would have suggested that I too was aware of the difference.

(These NG discussions sure lack something in the ability to make clear the
intended meaning, and lead to misunderstandings! I think we need an old
fashioned chalkboard.............)

Happy DRIVING!
Andy I.


 
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