"Wecker": an 'English' word used in China?

[James Harbeck]

>Maybe it comes from English "wrecker" < "wreck" ?

That's sure what popped into my mind right away. The r > w,
especially under the influence of the English spelling, is quite
plausible for Chinese speakers. "Wrecker" meaning "old heap-o'-junk
auto" certainly exists as a term (although the word is also used for
tow trucks).

Either that, or it's a car driven by some old guy who likes to eat
beef on weck. Or not.

James Harbeck.

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org