Learn English – Wind an electric car window down

word-requestword-usage

The phrase originates from car windows which used to have manual handles, which need to be turned to lower the window, hence to 'wind' a window down.

I heard the phrase the other day, but the car in question had electric windows. Is it OK to say we 'wind down' electric windows, or is there a newer phrase?

Best Answer

There's nothing wrong with "wind" in this case. There are plenty of situations where we use a word that refers to an obsolete technology:

  • we dial a phone number, which makes the other person's phone ring; we hang up at the end of the call;
  • we listen to internet radio stations (though I suppose that's almost correct, if you're using wifi);
  • we carbon copy emails;
  • diesel-powered ships sail around the world.
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