Car Names

Taken from a MSN article!!

10 Odd Auto Names

Where do they come up with names for cars? Some of them make sense: the Audi Quattro refers to the car's all-wheel drive system, the Acura Legend inspires confidence, and the Plymouth Voyager conjures up family road trips. But others...well, you just have to wonder. We called up the actual definitions for some of these names in an attempt to understand...

1. AMC Gremlin: "a tiny imaginary mischievous creature that is blamed for faults in tools, machinery, and electronic equipment." Do you really want anything to do with gremlins when you are driving down a steep and slippery road? (Curtis here: I LOVED THOSE CARS!!)

2. Ford Probe: Probably the manufacturers meant probe as in space probe. However, we can't rule out another definition: "surgical instrument for exploring."

3. Chevy Cavalier: "showing an arrogant or jaunty disregard or lack of respect for something or somebody," or a "gallant or chivalrous gentleman, especially one escorting a lady." Which do you think they were going for?

4. Plymouth Reliant: "depending on or needing somebody or something." Wouldn't you like to be able to rely on your car, rather than have it rely on you?

5. Oldsmobile Cutlass: "a short thrusting sword with a flat and slightly curved blade used in the past, especially by sailors." This might be a better name for a boat.

6. Volkswagen Golf: "an outdoor game in which an array of specially designed clubs with long shafts are used to hit a small ball from a prescribed starting point into a hole." What if you prefer tennis or soccer? Can you still drive this car?

7. Toyota Corolla: "the petals of a flower collectively, forming a ring around the reproductive organs and surrounded by an outer ring of sepals." Well, at least the literal Latin translation of corolla is "little crown."

8. Chevy Suburban: "relating to, belonging to, or located in a suburb." Why is there no "Urban" or "Rural"?

9. Mitsubishi Mirage: "something that is unreal or merely imagined." This suggests the car may not be as good as it seems.

10. Subaru Brat: "demanding and selfish person: somebody, either a child or an adult, who is regarded as tiresomely demanding and selfish, like a spoiled child." So, it's not surprising that Subaru has discontinued that model.

If you are curious about the name of your car, look it up.
Also on EncartaAll about names
Also on MSNAll about autos