Cars and objects referred in the feminine gender

[Bun Mui]

Why are cars and objects referred to in the feminine gender in English
usage?

Such as when referring to a car, e.g.-

"Isn't she a beauty?"

Comments?

Bun Mui

[Skitt]

Bun Mui <Bun...@my-dejanews.com> wrote in message
news:kLKW2.1604$Hz1....@typhoon.mbnet.mb.ca...

> Why are cars and objects referred to in the feminine gender in English
> usage?
>
> Such as when referring to a car, e.g.-
>
> "Isn't she a beauty?"

Would you prefer, "Isn't he a beauty?"

If you think about it, especially in British usage, there are many
similarities to be considered when discussing cars and women. Both
require daily care, and corrections have to be made to whatever might be
slightly out of "adjustment" in order to ensure proper performance
throughout the day. The "beauty" part, of course, is self-explanatory.

Having owned two British cars and being married to my third beautiful
wife, I know. They are all temperamental.
--
Skitt (a Leftpondian) http://come.to/skitt/
... and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana-shaped.

[John Flint]

>A man who had previously been a sailor was very aware that ships are
>addressed as "she" and "her". He often wondered what gender computers
>should be addressed. To answer that question, he set up two groups of
>computer experts.
>
>The first was comprised of women, and the second men. Each group
>was asked to recommend whether computers should be referred to in the
>feminine gender, or in the masculine gender. They were asked to give
>four reasons for their recommendation.
>
>The group of women reported that the computers should be referred to
>in the masculine gender because:
>1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
>2. They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.
>3. They are supposed to help you solve the problems, but half the
>time they are the problem.
>4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited
>a little longer you could have had a better model.
>
>The men, on the other hand concluded that computers should be
>referred to in the feminine gender because:
>1. No one but the Creator understands their internal logic.
>2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers
>is incomprehensible to everyone else.
>3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for
>later retrieval.
>4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself
>spending half your pay check on accessories for it.

----------
In article <7gfui5$kjf$1...@fir.prod.itd.earthlink.net>, "Skitt" <sk...@i.am>
wrote:

[Matti Lamprhey]

Skitt <sk...@i.am> wrote in message
news:7gfui5$kjf$1...@fir.prod.itd.earthlink.net...

>
> Bun Mui <Bun...@my-dejanews.com> wrote in message
> news:kLKW2.1604$Hz1....@typhoon.mbnet.mb.ca...
> > Why are cars and objects referred to in the feminine gender in English
> > usage?
> >
> > Such as when referring to a car, e.g.-
> >
> > "Isn't she a beauty?"
>
> Would you prefer, "Isn't he a beauty?"

<snip>

Yes, in Britain red sports cars with long <UK>bonnets</UK><US>hoods</US> are
thought to be penis-extensions. Hence female.

<US>Go figure</US> <UK> ?! </UK>

Matti