I've noticed that the act of operating a MINI is called "motoring" rather than "driving," and I think I've got the whole "boot" and "bonnet" thing straight, but are there any other terms I need to be aware of to avoid embarrassing myself?

Thanks,

Dave

 

Might want to start practicing yelling, "WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!" As you'll be doing so a lot once you get behind the wheel.

 

Get in the habit of working some of this into your regular vocabulary...

http://www.effingpot.com/slang.shtml

 

You've got a good start, especially with the written word MINI.

Mini = Classic Mini

MINI = 1st and 2nd generation MINI

And a couple more:

British <=> American Automotive Translations

British term American term
----------------- -------------
accumulator = battery
actuator = switch or servo
Artic articulated lorry = "tractor-trailer"
baulk ring = synchro ring
bonnet = hood
boot = trunk
bulkhead = firewall
choke tube = venturi
core plug = freeze plug
crocodile clip = alligator clip
crosshead = Phillips
crown wheel = ring gear
cubby box = glove box or glove compartment
damper = shock absorber
drive shaft = half shaft or axle shaft
drop-head coupe = convertible version of 2 door coupe
dumpy screwdriver = short screwdriver
dynamo = generator
earth = ground
estate = station wagon
fascia = dashboard
fixed-head coupe = 2 door coupe
frogeye = bugeye
Gallon (Imperial) = 5 US Quarts
gearbox = transmission
gudgeon pin = wrist pin
hood = convertible top
jointing compound = gasket sealant
lorry = truck
mole wrench = Vice grips
monocoque = unibody
MOT = DOT
Ministry of Transport = Department of Transportation
nave plate = hubcap
nose = front of car
paraffin = kerosene
pinking = knocking or pinging
prop shaft = drive shaft
petrol = gasoline
prise = pry
proud = above or raised
quarterlight = vent window
rev counter = tachometer
ring gear = flywheel gear, or starter gear
roadster = car that only comes in a convertible style
roundabout = rotary, traffic circle
RoStyle = type of steel wheel (as opposed to wire)
saloon = 2 or 4 door sedan
scuttle = cowl
side curtains = removable side windows
silencer = muffler
sill = rocker panel
Shooting Brake = station wagon
spanner = wrench
split pin = cotter pin
spring washer = lock washer
squab = part of seat
suction advance = vacuum advance
sump = oil pan
thrust bearing = throwout bearing
tickover = idle
top gear = high gear
torch = flashlight
trunnion = sliding or rotating joint (suspension)
Tyre = tire
wheel nut = lug nut
whitworth Brtish = thread measuring standard
windscreen = windshield
wing = fender

There will be a pop quiz later in the day.


....Les

 

Make sure you wave at all other MINIs you see!
Join your local club too.

 

Mini-loha is the wave shared between all MINI owners.

 

Don't pay any attention to the Brit-speak for MINIs... Any country that has a desert named 'Spotted D1ck' is not to be taken seriously...

A boot is something you wear on your feet, not some place to carry luggage...

A bonnet is a hat for a lady, not the hood for a car...

 

Don't forget terms like yo yo, Chewbacca, HAI, cold start clatter, and more. I think there's a thread of MINI terminology somewhere in here, which is kinda fun to go through.

 

a

 

I so agree! I never use those queer terms. I'm an American not a Brit and who cares if I drive a British car...

 

I think "moreorless" did a good job of listing Brit/US equivalents, after owning a number of English autos over the years it doesn't hurt to be able to speak their language.

 

Another big plus for me with MINI is the British heritage. BMW, I'm sure, realizes the importance of keeping that going but the Countryman being produced in Austria doesn't make since to me on that level. So, using traditional Brit terminology in the Mini/MINI culture may be a thing of the past if BMW fails to see its importance. As I have said so many times, I'm sure many would still buy a Mercedez-Benz made in China, but I surely wouldn't.

 

Or as they say in the new GEICO ad, "WHHEE WHEEWHEEWHEE WHEE!"

 

I LOVE that commercial!!!!

 

But there are many Brits over here who drive those cars. Wouldn't you like to know wtf they're talking about? haha.