I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff.
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@teadrinker @superball @sundogplanets I say either, depending on the context, the day, and my mood. I probably also match the pronunciation of the person I’m speaking with. They both feel correct to me, so it’s whatever happens.
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Ok this poll is way more interesting than I expected. I knew there were a lot of names for these large vehicles but I had NO IDEA how many terms.
B double? Artic?! Prime mover?
And so many opinions on "sem-ee" vs "sem-eye"
Turns out that language is COMPLICATED, my friends.
@sundogplanets
What about HGV or LGV? (Heavy/large goods vehicle) -
Ok this poll is way more interesting than I expected. I knew there were a lot of names for these large vehicles but I had NO IDEA how many terms.
B double? Artic?! Prime mover?
And so many opinions on "sem-ee" vs "sem-eye"
Turns out that language is COMPLICATED, my friends.
@sundogplanets adding further to the Babylonian confusion, let’s throw in some terms from other languages!
In German, I guess the most common terms are:
1. Lastwagen = truck / lorry (generic term)
2. Sattelschlepper / 40 Tonner = semi / tractor-trailer/ artic (we refer to them by max weight, even though there’s smaller versions)
3. Pickup = Pickup -
@sundogplanets adding further to the Babylonian confusion, let’s throw in some terms from other languages!
In German, I guess the most common terms are:
1. Lastwagen = truck / lorry (generic term)
2. Sattelschlepper / 40 Tonner = semi / tractor-trailer/ artic (we refer to them by max weight, even though there’s smaller versions)
3. Pickup = Pickup@slothrop @sundogplanets French, camion for the larger stuff, camiomlnette/fourgone for the smaller.
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@fembot
Interesting!
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets artic? (articulated lorry)
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets brits call it an articulated lorry. If you tell a brit driver he has a semi his wife might get upset

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Ok this poll is way more interesting than I expected. I knew there were a lot of names for these large vehicles but I had NO IDEA how many terms.
B double? Artic?! Prime mover?
And so many opinions on "sem-ee" vs "sem-eye"
Turns out that language is COMPLICATED, my friends.
If it's towing two trailers, I'd call it a B double.
If it's towing three trailers, I'd call it a road train.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets As someone else commented, the articulated lorries in the UK and the rest of Europe have a vertical front and no “hood”. The whole cab tilts.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets 18-wheeler truck is probably universal?
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Ok this poll is way more interesting than I expected. I knew there were a lot of names for these large vehicles but I had NO IDEA how many terms.
B double? Artic?! Prime mover?
And so many opinions on "sem-ee" vs "sem-eye"
Turns out that language is COMPLICATED, my friends.
@sundogplanets all I know is that I want something else to get me through this semi-charmed kinda life...

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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets and an European pickup truck is far smaller then an US pickup truck.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets What? 2 or 3 extra trailers? 🤯
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@roadskater @paperposts @sundogplanets Most of us call those lorries or articulated lorries. literally never heard anyone call them 'artics' before this thread.
@rubyjones @paperposts @sundogplanets 'Artic' showed up when I was searching for info earlier. My mind was thinking 'articulated' but I tried to doublecheck.
Now I'm trying to remember if I encountered 'artic' on Wikipedia or elsewhere when trying to look it up earlier.
I'm in NYC, but I've heard 'semi', 'tractor-trailer' and '18-wheeler' at various times in my life. Most likely 'semi' is in my mind these days when one of those big F-ng Fedex beasts blasts by me on Amsterdam Ave at night.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets Articulated lorry. Usually abbreviated to artic.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets
Artic -
Ok this poll is way more interesting than I expected. I knew there were a lot of names for these large vehicles but I had NO IDEA how many terms.
B double? Artic?! Prime mover?
And so many opinions on "sem-ee" vs "sem-eye"
Turns out that language is COMPLICATED, my friends.
@sundogplanets Also, translating that stuff is painful.
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I apparently really like to use trucks (both pickup and the bigger types) as comparison points for satellite stuff. And all the local terminology variations for trucks are silly.
Which of the following would you recognize as a term to describe a large vehicle that has a detachable front part that drives and which can pull a large trailer (or 2 or 3)
@sundogplanets@mastodon.social well obviously that is called an articulated lorry (or artic for short, which is an abbreviation, to help prevent a person from having to type quite so much verbiage, because that might be seen as tiring).
By the way, I’m not sure how pertinent it is here, but Rowan Atkinson (of Mr Bean and Johnny English and NTNOCN fame) has an HGV license for some reason which permits him to drive such a thing. (He also studied electrical and electronics but maybe that’s not overly relevant, assuming the previous snippet might have been). -
@sundogplanets
Interesting, there's a section of Wikipedia dedicated to different terms used:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-trailer_truck#Other_termsThe British terms listed all seem to refer to the whole vehicle. I seem to remember talking with my dad about the drive part, without the trailer attached, but I can't remember what term we used for it

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@sundogplanets 18-wheeler truck is probably universal?
@kirk but did you ever try counting the wheels? 18 not a common number here in nz.