Re: Engine vs Motor

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

"Engine" essentially means "contraption", a mechanical assembly
to carry out some complicated "works".

Weaving engines, threshing engines, analytical engines,
calculating engines, lifting engines, etc.  Probably someone
in 1750 made a pun about a lifting engine lifting an engine.

It's an old word.

Motor at least has a root involving "motive" as in motion as
in auto-motive, self-moving. And so on.

I bet it's a new word.

If people know what you're talking about, it's the right word.


"Boat anchor" sometimes works :-)