EXCEED MAY 2017 May_Emag | Page 15

Interesting Nomenclature used today derived from the Horse
Drawn Vehicle
from David Tulloch’s Talk 19th April 2017
Nomenclature used today derived from the horse drawn vehicle era -
Dash board - a raised board at front of horse-drawn vehicle protecting front
seat passengers - derived from harness horses when "dashing", the dashboard
offering some protection from debris being thrown up.
Sulky - said to derive from a single seat vehicle largely favoured by
doctors, who declined to pick up hitchhikers, and were thus labelled
"sulky".
Right hand man -- as in a person's assistant . As in question "who is your
right hand man". Derived from a teamster walking on left side - nearside -
of wagon,and his helper - right hand man - at rear of wagon, usually on a
pony - on right side of wagon (offside - other side) - this "right hand
man".
Nearside-offside: Teamster always walked on left, the wagon being nearest to
him.
Sideline - as in "what is your sideline?" - or secondary interest or help.
Derived from additional horse (called a cock horse) used to help pull a
wagon/coach up steep hill, attached to the other horses by a side line
(sideline). ...Recall Ride a cock horse the Banbury Cross?
Horsepower - power ratio as used today.
Boot - corruption of early French word bouche, which meant "body extension"
. Early motor cars as we know them were a simple body, then an extension to
body was added for carrying capacity, a boot.
Car -Gaelic for cart. A horse drawn vehicle e.g. Governess car(t) is today
correctly called a Governess car. Not cart. Mainly used by a family
governess to drive children to and from school.
Constable - said to derive from Continent, where a person in a stable was
responsible for counting the horses - count-stable.
Brake shoes - from old boot or shoe soles tacked to wooden brake block to
ensure longer wear of the block against steel tyres.
Box seat - premium seat in a theatre today, elevated and overlooking
stage. Box seat being the driver's seat on a coach, with room for one
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© Vol 34 No. 4- May 2017