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Steam & Excursion > He or She?Date: 01/04/17 07:42 He or She? Author: dougd In light of Jim Baker's brief narrative on his latest 3985 video--I note that he refers to 3985 as HE--I've long pondered this question. Can we truly call these gigantic machines SHE? I know from hearing the crews of steamers talk, that these behemoths can be delicate and require much careful touch and coaxing--thus being referred to as SHE. However their sheer power, size, and occasional stubborness remind me more of the male species.
How do you refer , in pronoun form , to these great locomotives? Date: 01/04/17 07:50 Re: He or She? Author: Topfuel I don't think, in the year 2017, that you are permitted to ask that question anymore. You would be using gender stereotypes, don't you know. I think we have to assume that steam locomotives are "gender neutral". : )
Date: 01/04/17 07:54 Re: He or She? Author: TonyJ Like what was said by an old French engineer in the movie "The Train", "The locomotives is like a woman. If you don't treat her right she'll make your life miserable."
Date: 01/04/17 08:00 Re: He or She? Author: dougd Topfuel---thanks for the response---please note I tried to be "gender neutral" in my question, seeking to tip toe around current accusations of indelicate or offensive language. However, when IT comes around the bend we generally say "here SHE comes", but I frequently reject calling one of these giants SHE when I am close to IT--it becomes " HE's a powerful machine, isnt HE?"
Still wondering if I'm the only one who ponders this concern. Date: 01/04/17 08:15 Re: He or She? Author: nhiwwrr Let's see a HE carry a child and go through giving birth and see how "powerful" they become. Males often pass out or are no where to be found during child birth.
A female will fight to the death to defend their child. Many males run...specially from an angry female. A female will work till they drop to raise a her brood....Males can barely survive on their own in the wild without their mothers survival education, and in the human world, give 8 hours a day and drop when they get home. Pretty sure SHE is a proper term for a workhorse such as a locomotive. Posted from Android Date: 01/04/17 08:17 Re: He or She? Author: callum_out Oh gawd!?!
Out Date: 01/04/17 08:30 Re: He or She? Author: co614 As the great steam machines were created and perfected before our culture was infected with the PC epidemic there's zero debate about why they were always referred to in the female gender. Anyone who has ever worked with/on one clearly understands.
They are unpredictable, moody, demanding of tlc, and when all conditions are right can be immensely rewarding. That's the very definition of female. IMHO-Ross Rowland Date: 01/04/17 09:03 Re: He or She? Author: MaryMcPherson I'm feeling unpredictable, moody, and demanding of TLC.
(My dry wit doesn't often translate to print) Mary McPherson Dongola, IL Diverging Clear Productions Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/17 09:24 by MaryMcPherson. Date: 01/04/17 09:47 Re: He or She? Author: Margaret_SP_fan dougd ---
Very interesting question, sir! I always call all steam locomotvies "SHE" as a term of affection, because "IT" is so cold as a term. But I DO call all Big Boys "HE"! I mean -- how on earth can anyone call a boy ":SHE"? But I never considered your excellent point. Hmmmmm.... Yiou DO have a valid point,m IMO. Call then what you want to. Mary McPherson --- LOLOL!!! ANd yeah, gemder stereotyping is always inaccurate, but even I, as an ardent feminist (What? Women are PEOPLE? And we rarely fit gender stereotypes.) will still call all locomotives "SHE" -- except for BigtBoys. About needing to call the giant and very powerful ones "HE": ever seen a woman who looks like a Valkyrie? Or a large Samoan lady? I rest my case. Strength and power do not always correlate with gender and size. Date: 01/04/17 09:54 Re: He or She? Author: 4451Puff In Berkeley California, a steam locomotive which identifies itself as a diesel is legally protected from persecution should it choose to use the diesel servicing track instead. :)
(just a little fun before the thread moderator does his/her/its job) Desmond Praetzel, "4451 Puff" Date: 01/04/17 12:25 Re: He or She? Author: Bob3985 I believe that the stalls in the Cheyenne Roundhouse and back shop are transgender so one can use either in referring to the locos and equipment.
Bob Krieger Cheyenne, WY Date: 01/04/17 12:26 Re: He or She? Author: Kimball i aways heard "she" because they have pettycoats, skirts and a tender behind!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/17 12:26 by Kimball. Date: 01/04/17 12:55 Re: He or She? Author: nathansixchime https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender#Animate_and_inanimate
"The pronoun "she" is sometimes used to refer to things which can contain people such as countries, ships, or vehicles, or when referring to certain other machines. This, however, is considered a stylistically marked, optional figure of speech. This usage is furthermore in decline and advised against by most journalistic style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style.[9] If used, the terms she, her, and hers are always used, regardless of the entity's name - for example, "The U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) was laid down October 22, 1964. She was launched on April 1, 1967..." Date: 01/04/17 14:18 Re: He or She? Author: tomstp I vote with Ross.
I,ve had it with PC. Date: 01/04/17 15:05 Re: He or She? Author: CPRR My kids alond time ago named my 1" scale 0-6-0 locomotive "Puffy"
Is it a he or a she? I like Ross's definition, as in the scale model world, well maybe in all steam worlds, "4 hours of cussing or repair, 1 hour of pleasure" Date: 01/04/17 15:12 Re: He or She? Author: Goalieman I agree with Ross and second tomstp's comment. I've had it with PC as well.
Posted from Android Date: 01/04/17 17:06 Re: He or She? Author: RuleG tomstp Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > I vote with Ross. > > I,ve had it with PC. I had it with PC, too. That's why I was glad when Conrail was formed. Date: 01/04/17 18:17 Re: He or She? Author: bath_wildcat When I refer to Cedar Points two steam locomotives like this- Judy K as she and Myron H as he.
Date: 01/05/17 09:08 Re: He or She? Author: frontier Being as PC as I am... My pet name for the 3985 was "Old Black Betty". But she was a Class Act!
Date: 01/05/17 10:54 Re: He or She? Author: upheritage6 Topfuel Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > I don't think, in the year 2017, that you are > permitted to ask that question anymore. You > would be using gender stereotypes, don't > you know. I think we have to assume that steam > locomotives are "gender neutral". : ) Careful you might offend someone by assuming an inanimate objects gender Posted from Android |