[Ads-l] more on Jeep

[dave@wilton.net]

Back in 2021 I scoured the libraries for early references for "jeep," and I found no definitive evidence (e.g., a coiner explaining the coinage), but the timing is spot on. 
 
Also, the term did not go directly from the comic to the 1/4-ton army truck. The first real-world "jeep" was an experimental aircraft. Then the term came to be applied to various new aircraft (including, briefly, the B-17), to other devices like range-finders on anti-aircraft guns, then to a variety of US Army vehicles, before narrowing to the 1/4-ton truck.
 
[ https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/jeep ]( https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/jeep )
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: "Jonathan Lighter" <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2025 7:25pm
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: [ADS-L] more on Jeep



There's no doubt in my small mind that all later uses of "jeep" come from
the appearance and especially the remarkable abilities of Eugene.

JL

On Sat, Apr 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM James Landau <
00000c13e57d49b8-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:

> Does anyone have definitive information on a possible link between "jeep"
> (the Army truck) and the character "Eugene the Jeep" in the Popeye comics.
> s://
> books.google.com/books?id=q6CgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=eugene+the+jeep&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlnpDp2PaMAxUqrokEHVK-Am4Q6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=eugene%20the%20jeep&f=false
>
> page 6
> <quote>
> . Eugene the Jeep , a friendly animal of inde- terminate species who was
> introduced by E. C. Segar to the comic strip on August 9 , 1936. The
> character proved so popular that his name was adopted for the rugged four -
> wheel - drive
> <end quote>
> Jim Landau
>
>
>
> James Landau
> jjjrlandau at netscape.com
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>


-- 
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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

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