Brit translation help?

[308tr6]

OK, obviously from across the pond here. Reading EVO now and then, I have figured out the lump, bag, and bonnett. What the heck is a clamshell...over here it's that hard part around a clam.

[gooby]

Clamshell is the outer bodywork. On the 'liz the main bodywork is made of two glass fibre "clams" one for the front one on the rear. Each one is called a clamshell or clam for short.

The term clam is used when the bodywork is in this config, normal bodywork is the wings then bonnet or boot etc.

American translations are fun. Just so long as a brit in America doesnt "go out for a fag" or run around in his pants we are OK.

[Sam_68]

These, for example, are front clamshells.

[308tr6]

So the driver is the clam??

[Sam_68]

I suppose you could look at the driver as the clam. The analogy originated on sports racing cars, though, where you would expect the whole front/rear section of the car to pivot upwards for immediate mechanical access...in which case the chassis is the other half of the 'clam'.

What do you call this arrangement in the US then? I assume that since you call cars 'automobiles' and lifts 'elevators', you will have found a word three times as long, for the sake of making it sound more technical than it really is?!

[lawrence5]

PS Fag is slang for a cigarette..... before you think you're being hit on

Two nations separated by a common language. Been reading the "rule of four" and trying to understand Ivy League educational terms..... thank god for the internet !

[bjc388]

hehehe ... look carefully and you'll find some real pearls in there

[308tr6]

Having been a Jethro Tull fan in my earlier years (still am I guess), learned a few of the terms...some song said something about a fag (as a ciggy butt). Funny the terms and expressions from a common language.

[308tr6]

Sam_68 said:

I suppose you could look at the driver as the clam. The analogy originated on sports racing cars, though, where you would expect the whole front/rear section of the car to pivot upwards for immediate mechanical access...in which case the chassis is the other half of the 'clam'. What do you call this arrangement in the US then? I assume that since you call cars 'automobiles' and lifts 'elevators', you will have found a word three times as long, for the sake of making it sound more technical than it really is?!

Well maybe another American can help here..but I don't know that we have a specific term for the hood and trunk on a pivot?

[308tr6]

I think I just figured out another one..so bits are parts?

[lawrence5]

Bits are any parts that make up a bigger thing..... also had a girlfirend who refered to her "bits" but again that was something different

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

bit (AMOUNT)
noun [C]
1 INFORMAL a small piece or amount of something:

[mart1n]

My favourite when I worked in the States was when a chap came into the office in the morning and announced that someone rear-ended his girlfriend on her way to work!

[gooby]

308tr6 said:

So the driver is the clam??

Nope the driver is a person who sits in the seat, gee you yanks are strange!

[hugoagogo]

what about a hairy clam?

[lawrence5]

hugoagogo said:

what about a hairy clam?

Nope again the bearded clam is something different !!

[GTRene]

I'm Dutch and I did'nt know the difference between English and American...I mostly use the "simple" words I know to make a disposal? hm...not easy
Its also strange with a gallon...the GB gallon and USA gallon is different!? I find that very troublesome!
So I know I make many mistake's too but I hope not to harm anybody when my words are'nt correct! thats never my intension
GTRene

>> Edited by GTRene on Saturday 31st December 18:42

[shangani]

Don't despair - I am from the UK, but have lived in several different countries, most recently until 3 years ago, in South Africa. Theoretically an english speaking country. Here in the UK I need to ask about what things mean all the time. Just to add further insult, there are forum specific terms as well. - DPM etc. If that doesn't do it, the Cockney rhyming slang surely will.

So back in a sec, I'm off to the Rick.

Oh and if you object to this, wind your Gregory in.

>> Edited by shangani on Sunday 1st January 09:04

[gooby]

GTRene said:

I'm Dutch and I did'nt know the difference between English and American...I mostly use the "simple" words I know to make a disposal? hm...not easy Its also strange with a gallon...the GB gallon and USA gallon is different!? I find that very troublesome! So I know I make many mistake's too but I hope not to harm anybody when my words are'nt correct! thats never my intension GTRene >> Edited by GTRene on Saturday 31st December 18:42

Um ... we have litres...

[lawrence5]

But talk about miles to the gallon. We have kilo's but weight ourselves in stones and our cars in kilos. We have centimetres but measure our height in feet and inches but our socket sets in metric.

We are confused

[cej]

you are very confused. Metric system rulez