[Ads-l] locomotives as female

Amy West medievalist at W-STS.COM
Mon Apr 20 19:09:14 UTC 2015


On 4/19/15 12:00 AM, ADS-L automatic digest system wrote:
> Date:    Sat, 18 Apr 2015 13:23:16 -0500
> From:    Jonathan Lighter<wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: locomotives as female (UNCLASSIFIED)
>
> Big moving things like ships, aircraft,  and locomotives generally are
> female.
>
> If memory serves, this has been true since Middle English.
>
> At least of ships.
>
> JL
I seem to recall it as being a much more recent tradition: I think 
1700s; perhaps back to the 1500s. I can not recall my source for this, 
of course. Maybe _Word Myths_? Perhaps I should do my homework. . .

---Amy West

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