On 17 Apr 2003 at 11:19, asimovd@aol.com wrote:
David Wilson asks:
<< Does anyone know the etymology of the term four-by-four or 4x4 in relation to an off-road vehicle?
I have to agree with Bernie here: The 4-speed transmission, and the 4-wheel drive.
I think the etymology has changed. I believe that the first designations of it appeared back 30 yrs ago with the first "four on the floor" and so Jeeps and other vehicles were advertised as "four by four" [transmission and drive wheels]. I think that that usage has paled in favor of the wheels/driven wheels use. [BTW: I think the mention here had it backwards. I think the now-common usage is: totalwheels x drivenwheels and so a normal passenger car would be a 4x2. /Bernie\ -- Bernie Cosell Fantasy Farm Fibers mailto:bernie@fantasyfarm.com Pearisburg, VA --> Too many people, too few sheep <--