Why is a Car Called a Motor?

The term 'car' or 'motor' for a vehicle has a fascinating history. While many assume it stems from 'carriage,' the origins are actually more complex and rooted in linguistic and mechanical evolution.

Origins and Etymology

The term 'car' evolved from 'carriage' and 'motor.' In the early days, a carriage was a two-wheeled wagon used for transporting goods or people. The etymology of 'car' traces back to the Anglo-Norman and Old French, car and char, which originated from the classical Latin carrus and carrum. These words describe wheeled vehicles.

However, the specific term 'car' as it is used today didn't just pop out of nowhere. It was a shortened form of 'motor carriage,' which described vehicles that were driven by a mechanical engine. To understand this, consider that the word 'motor' initially referred to an engine that produced motion, not necessarily an electrical one.

The Evolution of Language

When early automobiles were introduced, they were often called 'motor carriages,' which were shorted to 'motor cars.' This was catchy and easier to say than 'automobile,' which led to the widespread adoption of the term in casual conversation.

American Usage: Motorcars

Interestingly, the term 'motorcar' found more footing in the United States than in other countries. In the early 1980s, the use of 'motorcar' began to prevail, especially in informal settings. This term was popularized by the revival of the custom of using 'motor' to refer to the engine. Common terms like 'V8 motor' or 'V6 motor' solidified 'motor' as a colloquial way to describe the power source of a vehicle, leading to 'motorcar' sticking as a shorthand for 'automobile' in everyday speech.

Further Elaboration

It’s crucial to understand that the etymology of 'car' is based on evidence, not speculation. While some claim that 'car' is short for 'carriage,' the evidence points to 'car' deriving from 'motor carriage' and simplifying over time to 'car.'

The term 'motor' in English, while derived from Latin movitor, has slightly different pronunciations due to the phonetic evolution in Old English. As 'v' is a semivowel in Latin and often pronounced as 'oo,' the word 'motor' evolved from 'movitor' to 'motor.' This etymology further clarifies why 'car' came to mean what it does today.

So, while it might seem obvious why a car is called a 'car' or a 'motor,' the journey from 'carriage' to 'motorcar' to 'car' is a reflection of the historical and linguistic developments that shaped modern English.