History It's a bird... It's a plane.... or is it a motor/engine?

I keep seeing the experts on here trying to convince people that their word is the gospel. So I thought I would research the controversy. I was wondering why we have Departments of MOTOR Vehicles. MOTOR boats. MOTOR oil..... you know. Common things associated with gasoline powered vehicles.
According to Mirriam-Webster .... which has been around since before the invention of internal combustion engines, Their definition of motor and engine is:
Definition of motor

1: one that imparts motion specifically : PRIME MOVER
2: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: such as
a: a small compact engine
b: INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE especially : a gasoline engine
c: a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy

Definition of engine

1: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motionalso : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy sourceblack holes may be the engines for quasars
2: a railroad locomotive
3a: something used to effect a purpose : AGENT, INSTRUMENTmournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime— E. A. Poe
b: something that produces a particular and usually desirable resultengines of economic growth
4a: MACHINERY
b: any of various mechanical appliances —often used in combinationfire engine
c: a mechanical tool: such as
(1): an instrument or machine of war
(2)obsolete : a torture implement

And wheels have been refered to by many a hot rodder as RIMS as far back as I can remember.

 

I thought it was traditional for the juvenile delinquent hot rodder types, to not do so well in English class.

As long as someone knows what you're talking about, it's probably an OK word to use.

 

You call them what you want...I’ll call them what I want. No harm no foul. Just like bolt and cap screw. I say cap screw because my dad told that when I was a little tike. He was a machinist and it stuck with me.

Now excuse me while I take disconnect my starter engine from cars motor.

 

Speaking from a Scottish perspective, it appears to be an Americanisim to say "motor" for an internal combustion engine. I don't think it's wrong, just a cultural difference.

You guys also say transmission where I would say gearbox.

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When one asks what 'motor' I have in my SHoebox I tell them it has a starter motor that helps start the engine...a 302 Ford.

 

My engine identifies itself as a motor. What are ya gonna do...

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Had a smart ass buddy in HS who never turned a wrench even on a bicycle told me that a car had an engine and a motor was electrical .

 

Do they prefer to be called mo-tour or mo-tor

 

Something to contemplate while I take my Engine cycle down the Engine way to get some Engine oil...

 

Not worth getting your undies in a wad over at any rate.
I do have several "Motor" manuals but have no "engine" manuals.
I'm not about to tell my friends who are involved in the railroad museum in town that they have a great looking motor pulling their train though.

 

I also use the name rocker cover instead of valve cover. No reason other than rocker cover sounds cooler.

 

The definition has gone through some changes over tine. The 'cotton-gin' was the 'cotton engine'; back to the imparting motion and change deal.
In my ME classes back in the old days a motor was referred to as an electrical device. Tomorrow, the generation 'Z' kids will probably be taught something else.
As was said, use what suits you and don't be judgmental about language that varies from your raisin'.

Oh, as a Mopar guy, I do have engine manuals...

 

Power plant

 

OH NO NO NO how many times it this gong to be debated? what's it up to 100 plus times now WITH NO CONSENSUS determined. you will never change anyone's mind on this subject EVER.

 

If it,s a motor it will have a plug that goes into a wall socket.

 

Well a Long time ago I was tough that a MOTOR was electric
and a engine was what ran on Gasoline or Diesel

Just my 3.5 cents

Live Learn & Die a Fool

 

In simple terms an engine is any machine or device, even a virtual device like a "search engine". A motor is a bit more specific; a device producing mechanical power. A V8 is therefore both an engine and a motor. Take your pick , they're both correct.

 

Tomato (US) or Tomato (UK)
Lancaster (NY) or Lancaster (PA)

 

central Bamaisms
tater, mater
poke (a sack)
coke (any carbonated soft drink)
make a bill (buy groceries)
strike a trot (gotta poop real bad)

 

I wonder if anyone actually gives a rip?

 

Both

 

This is the kind of stuff that makes the English language so hard for people to learn. Too many words that can mean basically the same thing. I think a lot of it is generational and regional. You ask a younger person what a mill is... he probably won't answer anything that has to do with a car. But a lot of us remember when it was slang for the engine/motor in a car.

Hot rodding is fun !!

 

Well, then explain that whole hood/trunk bonnet/ boot thing.
Bonnets and boots are clothing, eh?

 

What powers a Tesla car?

 

the movement of electrons?

 

Early this week was the rim/wheel debate, yesterday was the re-occurring oil thread and today this one again. Aren't any of you building anything?

 

All engines are motors, not all motors are engines.