revtothelimit - motorbike forum

......when it comes to cars.
I came across this whilst perusing the internerd, and thus I thought I'd share it with you lot. I'm good like that.

https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/uk-us-car-part-names/

I've known Brits who say "wing mirror" when they're bolted to the door... or even a motorcycle.

ZRX61 wrote: Sat Feb 28, 2026 1:50 am I've known Brits who say "wing mirror" when they're bolted to the door... or even a motorcycle.

I still call door mirrors 'wing mirrors'.

On a bike they're just mirrors (unless they're bar-end, in which case they're called 'ugly' or 'too wide').

My good lady always calls it a 'Windowscreen' incorrect me thinks.

Dodgy69 wrote: Sat Feb 28, 2026 7:54 am My good lady always calls it a 'Windowscreen' incorrect me thinks.

I'd say that's technically correct. It is both a window that you can see through and a screen against wind, rain, insects and UV.

I think I'll adopt it.



Oh, and a PS/useless factoid #7352.4. The root of the word 'window' is 'wind eye' from the Old Norse 'vindauge' so predates glazing and was probably where the wind got in rather than got kept out. (Not, as I thought a 'wind 'ole' )

I don't think I've never know what 'sedan' referred to, aside from some kind of average car. New fact, unlocked

They're unsure of where the 'brake' part of shooting brake came from. A brake was a wagonette which was...

'A kind of carriage with one or two seats crosswise in front, and two back seats arranged lengthways and facing inwards'

So my old LWB Land Rover was a wagonette. Ooh la la!

Who knew eh?

Another is the comparison of older timber-framed sections of bodywork.

US: 'Woodie'

UK: 'Tudor Moggie Minor'

ZRX61 wrote: Sat Feb 28, 2026 1:50 am I've known Brits who say "wing mirror" when they're bolted to the door... or even a motorcycle.

Are the terms offside and nearside used in the US?

Horse wrote: Sat Feb 28, 2026 10:02 am Are the terms offside and nearside used in the US?

Nope.