CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8053, 4 July 1904, Page 4

CYCLING.

THE DERIVATION OF CI'CLE NAMES. (English, Pqp«r.) The cycle, in its later developments, is a model Of scientific accuracy in everything but its name, or rather names. The -words "velocipede," "bicycle," and "cycle" have been coined from classical roots in accordance with tlie custom of inventors. But velocipede means simply sometliing ewnftfooted, and could -with equal propriety bs applied to a greyhound or a Derby winner. A bicycle is etymologically a two-wheeler, and might include a hansom cab or a porter's trolly. The Americans have 'been rightly corrected for their use of " wheel " when they mean bicycle, which goes on two wheels; yet we ourselves do not scruple to use the word " cycle," which does not even mean a wheel, but only a rim or circle. This word was originally, coined to include tricycles at a time when those machine^ were relatively ;more numerous than they are at present, hut nowadays a cycle nearly always means a bicycle. None of these words give the slightest indication of that feature which distinguishes the cycle from other wheeled vehicles, namely, its propulsion by the rider's feet. In logical parlance they are too extensive, and not intensive enough. To supply this defect a learned ! authority has suggested the beautiful word "foot-car," which would serve admirably, but for the trifling circumstance that a bicycle is not a car. "Foot-wheel" would be "better, but no such word is likely to find I acceptance at this time of day, nor is it I really required. Bicycle, tricycle and cycle, if not co expressive as they might be, are quite expressive enough, and are in no real danger of being mistaken for hansom cabs or wedding rings. They are not -unpleasdng in sound, and are firmly established by popular usage, which, after all, is the pajamount consideration.