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Another dumb question....

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by classicfins, Nov 20, 2011.

  1. classicfins
    Joined: Dec 16, 2006
    Posts: 592

    classicfins
    Member

    Ok, I know I'm probably going to get bashed here for not knowing this, but what does "Gowjob" mean and where did the term come from? I've never heard it before until just recently.
    Doug
     
  2. billsill45
    Joined: Jul 15, 2009
    Posts: 784

    billsill45
    Member
    from SoCal

    It's my understanding that the term "gowjob" dates back to the 1920's & 30's to describe a car that had early speed equipment or engine modifications and non-essential parts (fenders, hood, etc.) removed to improve performance. In other words, a hot rod, but the term had not yet been invented.

    It probably was a slangy way of describing a car that really "goes".

    I'm sure more knowledgable people will weigh in on this....
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2011
  3. A Rodder
    Joined: Jul 13, 2008
    Posts: 2,474

    A Rodder
    Member


    You sold me on it. Sounds real reasonable
     
  4. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    Any one who would have actually been around in the "gowjob" days would now be 95 to 100 years old. You are looking for a guy who was pretty savy back then and not senile today. Good luck.
     

  5. Not a dumb question but the 'Search' function works wonders...this gents answer in the first post is generally accepted as the historically correct answer. Ultimately, 'gow' descends from an English adaptation of a Cantonese slang word for opium...

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34415
     

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