I was wondering why semi-trucks are called that. Doesn’t semi mean “part of”? A semi-truck is a whole truck if I ever saw one!
Learn English – Why is it called a semi-truck? Doesn’t “semi” mean “part”
american-englishetymologynouns
Related Solutions
They do resemble pointing hands; especially the classic style of hour hand. Yes, they're thinner than human hands, but they point:
Etymonline says this usage of hand is over 400 years old:
Clock and watch sense is from 1570s.
Other than that, I don't think anyone can explain just why clockmakers chose hand instead of arm, or even finger. The point is that they point, like a hand.
This is probably an unanswerable question, but an interesting suggestion is that the 'rhino' being alluded to is not the pachyderm, but the nose (as in rhinology or rhinoplasty), and 'rhino' as cash is linked to the earlier phrase 'paying through the nose'.
Related Topic
- Learn English – Why is a black eye called a “shiner”
- Learn English – Etymology of “midsummer” — why is the first day of summer called “middle of summer”
- Learn English – Why are pot-holes called pot-holes
- Learn English – Why are the bleachers called the bleachers
- Learn English – Why is home electricity supply called “mains”
- Learn English – Why is ginger ale called an “ale”
Best Answer
Semi truck or semi is short for semi-trailer truck.¹ The prefix semi- literally means half.² The term describes a truck consisting of a tractor and a semi-trailer. A semi-trailer is semi-supported (half supported) by its own wheels, which support only the rear of the trailer. The front of the trailer is supported by the rear wheels of the tractor.³