"F-car" -- stupid question | FerrariChat

"F-car" -- stupid question

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Kubes, Mar 28, 2012.

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  1. Kubes

    Kubes Formula Junior

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    Anyone know the etymology of the term "F-car"?

    Wondering how/why it came about. Two initial hypotheses:

    1. So as not to say "Ferrari" in public and getting unwanted reactions. Think of the opposite of the "H-bomb" (Harvard) around Boston...

    2. Because, as a two syllable word, F-car rolls off the tongue more easily or faster than the three syllable "Ferrari"

    I know, silly question. Any other hypotheses out there?

    Cheers!
    Kubes
     
  2. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie Owner Silver Subscribed

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    I'm pretty sure it's #1
     
  3. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #1, keeping it on the DL.
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

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    It started with P-cars to denote Porsches, and then spread, unfortunately.
     
  5. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ Consultant Owner

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    I adore it what the shortened version takes longer to say than the original.

    Example:

    Volkswagen: 3 syllables.

    VW: 4 syllables.
     
  6. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Vee-dub: 2 syllables
    Pee-bug: longer than porch ;)
     
  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    To the original poster: pretty sure it's #1
     
  8. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    The real reason: because humans are inherently lazy.
     
  9. curtisc63

    curtisc63 Formula 3 Owner

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    I don't think I have ever said "F-car". I will type it occasionally... I always considered it short hand.
     
  10. Dolcevita

    Dolcevita Formula 3 Owner Silver Subscribed

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    I worked at GM many years ago. F body cars were Firebirds & Cameros. We always referred to cars by their body codes. To this day, I automatically think "F car" whenever I see a Firebird or Camero. I still cringe when I hear a Ferrari called an F car, but I'm getting over it.
     
  11. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    3. Just to annoy the rest of us.
     
  12. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    4. all of the above?
     
  13. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    Maybe I don't get around enough, but I can't recall ever hearing someone refer to a Ferrari (or a Fiat) as an "F-Car". Sounds lame to me.
     
  14. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ Sponsor Owner

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    5. To appear so cool you don't even need to say the word Ferrari.


    rolls-eyes
     
  15. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

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    I'm on the super down low. I call mine the car or sometimes the convertible.
     
  16. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    When I call it a 328, people think I'm talking about a BMW. ;)

    I'd call it "the Italian", but that covers the Alfa, too. :p

    But when you say "Ferrari", people assume that you're rich, because they've convinced themselves that all Ferraris cost (pinky in mouth), a million dollars.

    The funny part is that they don't want to hear about the 308GT4 they could have gotten for the price of that Nissan.
    When you try to tell them that, they talk about the "insane" service costs.

    It's apparently easier for people to tell themselves that Ferraris are out of reach of "real people" than to tell themselves that they are settling for something else.

    Somehow, people aren't satisfied with the idea that they don't have "X", simply because there's other things they want more.
    Instead, what they don't have is "unobtainable".
    Which just makes them annoyed when *you* have one.

    People are weird. ;)
     
  17. MBFerrari

    MBFerrari F1 Veteran

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    I call it "Daddy's red car" so my child doesn't go around pre-school saying "Daddy's Ferrari", but it hasn't worked...it has come out as "your Ferrari" on a few occassions now. Game over.
     
  18. tomberlin

    tomberlin Formula Junior Silver Subscribed

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    This explanation gets my vote-

    TomB
     
  19. Kubes

    Kubes Formula Junior

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    As the OP, I guess I'm not cool enough since I never even considered that reason...

    That being said, however, this is the one that gets my vote!
     
  20. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    Better (but opposite):

    Bimmer = 2 syllables

    BMW = 5 syllables!
     
  21. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

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    When I say "F-car", people think I'm swearing.
     

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