Originally Posted by MS Fowler (Post 2671460)

I am with Chillcut on this. Gas engines/ electric motors.
I do understand that in common useage, they are more or less interchangeable. However, being a somewhat (?) anal, old cuss, I decry the degradation of langauge.
I will accept, w/o comment the common useage, but endeavor to use the terms correctly as I see it.

Originally Posted by layback40 (Post 2671450)

And you guys have jelly on your toast, we have jam. Very few of you like a mans spread (Vegemite) on your toast.:cool:

Originally Posted by Matt L (Post 2671869)

Actually, we have both. All of the major brands produce each flavor in both jelly and jam. Don't ask me to tell you the difference. I don't eat either.

And no Vegemite either. Once was enough for that stuff.

Originally Posted by layback40 (Post 2671873)

If I made an Australian response to this I would get an infraction for sure!!
:eek:

Originally Posted by chilcutt (Post 2671330)

Thank you for the clarification. It would seem that some people are confused, and raise the argument..'Why is it called FORD MOTOR COMPANY'.
Automobile, Motorcycle, Truck assembly companys have these names as it represents the entire vehicle.
Each car company has a number of divisions, such as 'Detroit Deisel Allison-Engine Facility'...Ford-'Trenton Engine Plant'. etc..

Are there any mechanics here,or Automobile manufactureing people here who would like to substantiate whether the proper term is 'Engine, or Motor', when referring to a vehicles power-plant?

Originally Posted by layback40 (Post 2671374)

Mr Chilcutt didnt like some of the following in another thread, hence this thread.

I think I would be asking a few English teachers for their opinion of what is the appropriate use of "engine" & "motor" before I would take the view of a Singapore night club disk jock !!
We seldom hear of an electric engine, that dosent make a petrol motor an incorrect expression.

Are you saying that General Motors only makes electric motors ?
Interestingly Detroit Engine & Turbine Company have made electric motors. I dont know if they still do.
Toyota Motor Company ?
Ford Motor Company?
Yamaha Motor Company?
Motor bikes?
National Motor Museum?
Motor shows?
Motor Homes?

The words "motor" & "engine" are generic terms and in most cases are interchangeable.

To ask the question;
"Is the correct word for the powerplant in a car, truck, or motorcycle called an engine, or a motor?"
Is nothing more than an attempt to generate a division. Depending where you are, where you grew up & where you were educated both could be correct. It is very divisive to try and call one correct & the other not.
There are plenty of other words that one could do the same thing with.
For example "Sister" or "Nun".
For those with a strong chemistry background ; Is Manganese a metal?

Its interesting to see what parts of modern society have a need for strict right & wrong as destinct from shades of gray.

Originally Posted by Txjake (Post 2671880)

I think Steppenwolf said it best: "get your motor running, head out on the highway" :D

though this might be technically incorrect, substitute engine for motor here: it just doesn't flow........;)

oh yeah, vegemite rocks, so does nutella

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987 (Post 2671980)

The word motor is defined as a device that moves something, but the formal rule in English is that an engine creates its own power; a motor receives power from an outside source (i.e., electricity). Based on the origin of the words, an engine is a form of a motor, but in engineering and writing (English and journalistic) styles the engine is that big internal combustion device under the hood; motors lift/lower your windows, move your wipers, open your sunroof, etc. Don't ask me why. Language is quirky. "Motor" is a very common colloquialism for engines, in the same way people refer to Chimpanzees as "monkeys" (they're apes) ... so a "motor company" probably named itself as such based on the fact that so many people said "motorcar," "motorboat, "motoring." I.e., it's meant to resonate with the public, not follow strict grammar.