Motor VS Engine...

[Mark_88]

I've often been tempted to use either of these words in describing things to do with vehicles (motor vehicles especially) and thought the words to be interchangeable...and, in fact, they are! I wouldn't want to call a truck an engine vehicle because it seems too clunky...not the sound of the truck itself but the words...

Anyway...the make a long story longer...if anyone else has been considering this...I found an expert in engineering on the web that explains the two words from their origins...

http://engineering.mit.edu/ask/what’s-difference-between-motor-and-engine

Please note that this article is NOT about what is the best motor to put in your engine vehicle and it DOES NOT give you tips or tricks on how to get more HP out of your current engine or motor...and by calling your vehicle by either names of motor vehicle or engine vehicle you will still have the same truck when you wake up in the morning...

It's purely a problem that I've had with names that I finally...finally...discovered an answer for!

Isn't the internet wordiful...our next lesson we will talk about the word queef and how it can make your day so much better...if you are a man...making a queef with your significunt other...

 

[rtg143]

Good article. Is it a Kleenex or tissue? Vaseline or petroleum jelly?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've bean larned...
I always thought a motor refered to electrical powered and engine to gasoline/diesel powered.
I use the words interchangeably too.

Richard

 

[enjr44]

Something I haven't thought about in years. My grandfather was a real stickler about this and would give me a quick correction if I used the terms wrong. I'm over 70 now and, of course, lost him years ago. There wasn't a thing on earth he couldn't fix.

To him it was a motor if it got its fuel/energy from electricity and an engine if it came from a petroleum product. No argument allowed.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

From what i was told a motor is the big hunk of metal in the middle pistons block head valves etc. and that it becomes an engine when you put an alternator a battery power steering etc. on it Guess i was wrong oh well

 

[det107]

Isn't the internet wordiful...

True & very helpful for tracing its origins. What could be a whole lot better is to learn to speak 5 languages & all the words will come together-