Ride with me - Wordsmith.org

You are not logged in. [Log In] Wordsmith.org » Forums » General Topics » Q&A about words » Ride with me

Page 1 of 3

Topic Options

#71263 - 05/25/02 07:39 PM Ride with me
Angel addict Registered: 12/28/01 Posts: 688	While out on my motorcycle today, it occurred to me that one "rides" a motorcycle, yet one "drives" a car or a truck. Anyone have any explanation for this discrepency?
Top

#71264 - 05/26/02 01:36 AM Re: Ride with me
Father Steve Carpal Tunnel Registered: 09/06/00 Posts: 2788 Loc: Seattle, Washington, USA	Note also that one rides a horse in order to drive cattle. Hmmm.
Top

#71265 - 05/26/02 04:44 AM Re: Ride with me
lusy member Registered: 03/16/00 Posts: 140 Loc: Melbourne, Australia	Note also that one rides a horse in order to drive cattle. Good one, Dad, but I guess you ride astride a motorcycle but sit in a comfy chair to drive a car. lusy
Top

#71266 - 05/26/02 06:57 AM Re: Ride with me
RhubarbCommando Pooh-Bah Registered: 08/23/00 Posts: 2204	As I'm also too lazy to LIU or do any research, I'll guess that it does, indeed, refer to the use of animals as transportation. "To ride" implies that you are seated upon the animnal; "to drive," that you are behind it, urging it along. When you drive a horse and carr, you are doing the latter, notwithstanding the fact that you are following the horse through no effort of your own. The same is true, by analogy, with car and mo'bike. And, indeed, in the vast majority of cars, you do sit behind the engine, whilst on the vast majority of Motorbikes, you sit over it. (This doesn't thoroughly explain it, of course, if you take into consideration that the earliest motor cars were rear-engined! hmmmm)
Top

#71267 - 05/26/02 09:46 AM Re: Ride with me
wwh Carpal Tunnel Registered: 01/18/01 Posts: 13858	Is a lady who sits side saddle on a horse "riding' it?
Top

#71268 - 05/26/02 09:52 AM Re: Ride with me
Wordwind Carpal Tunnel Registered: 09/30/01 Posts: 6296 Loc: Piedmont Region of Virginia, U...	Is a lady who sits side saddle on a horse "riding' it? Nope, she's saddled with grief! I know, I know. I'm a Monotreme and just laid an egg! Bridle regards, WildWest
Top

#71269 - 05/26/02 09:59 AM Re: Ride with me
wwh Carpal Tunnel Registered: 01/18/01 Posts: 13858	Remember the cowboy who worried about his girlfriend riding astride, because you can stretch a good thing too far?
Top

#71270 - 05/26/02 11:43 AM Re: Ride with me
of troy Carpal Tunnel Registered: 10/17/00 Posts: 5400 Loc: rego park	that reminds me, a childless friend asked once "what is teen age girls facination with horses all about?" as we walked in a park, and watched group after group of young girls go by on horse back. i replied "i dunno, what ever could be appealing about speading your legs wide, and using your leg muscles to grab hold of hard, well muscled body, that causes you to bound up and down rhythmicly? and to think the young girl has full control of this hard, well muscled body and can control the speed, and nature of the rhythm she bounces at? I dunno.. why ever would they enjoy that?" he blushed and had trouble looking at the next group of riders! _________________________ my other obsession
Top

#71271 - 05/26/02 09:53 PM Re: Ride with me
Geoff old hand Registered: 11/12/00 Posts: 819 Loc: Portland,Oregon, USA	I guess you ride astride a motorcycle but sit in a comfy chair to drive a car. Yet one pilots an aeroplane or a boat, regardless of where the power plant is located. Even the persons who provide both power and control of human-powered aircraft are called pilots, even though they're "riding" them, as in a bicycle.
Top

#71272 - 05/27/02 08:53 AM Re: Ride with me
Faldage Carpal Tunnel Registered: 12/01/00 Posts: 13666	Yet one pilots an aeroplane or a boat If one is to believe such TV shows as JAG military pilots will drive their planes.
Top

Page 1 of 3

Moderator: Jackie

Forum Stats

8453 Members
16 Forums
13692 Topics
210099 Posts

Max Online: 3341 @ 12/09/11 02:15 PM

Newest Members


	Wordsmith Talk		About Us \| What's New \| Search \| Site Map \| Contact Us

Wordsmith Talk