[nascarnation]

Kinda like that show except when they call an engine a motor.

Harlan Fengler, Chief Steward of the Indianapolis 500 in the 1960s, was arguing with a race driver (I forget who it was) about the use of the term motor for engine.

The driver told Fengler "Then why don't they call it the Indianapolis Engine Speedway?

[Current Occupant]

Good point.

[Erasmus]

Well, they used to be 'motors.' But then they improved them and they became 'engines.'

≤}B^)

Apropos of very little, I am not fond of calling a railroad locomotive an 'engine.'

First, because on a steam locomotive the 'engines' are actually the steam cylinders and valves, not the whole locomotive. Some steam locos have three or four engines.

Second, because on a diesel locomotive, you want to be able to call the diesel prime mover an 'engine,' which is once again not the whole locomotive. (Some people call the diesel prime movers 'motors' and that's OK too.)