h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Stupid Question Alert

Why are inanimate objects, such as boats, planes, trains, ships and automobiles etc. commonly known as 'shes'?

Emmily

There are two was of looking at it. Most of the items mentioned are pieces of machinery usually associated with men. Men tend to like their machines and treat them with the same care and affection as they do woman.

On the other hand, they call them 'she' because they are as unpredictable and temperamental as woman.

As an aside: Hurricanes and Typhoons used to be given all female names till the feminist lobby complained and now they alternate between male and female names.

Donald

Because they carry people.

They're a good ride...



B

When they are old and knackered you just get a new one

My mate who is spanish, calls computers 'she'. Why? because in her language it is 'La computer' or whatever the word is for pc.

Because you have to manipulate a lot of different buttons etc. to get them to work properly?

I'll get me coat...

RF

They don't want servicing for months on end but then want it all at once.

B

So basically, inanimate objects are referred to as ‘she’ because; You have to manipulate a lot of different buttons etc. to get them to work properly, treat them with the same care and affection, they're a good ride. Unpredictable and temperamental, they carry people, they don't want servicing for months on end but then want it all at once, when they are old and knackered you just get a new one.

Is that about right?

Emmily

I think that's the jist of it, yes!

(imagine coming here for a sensible answer )

In German, the "She-rule" only applies to ships. But when it comes to ships, it is applied throughout. (The Titanic - she. The Estonia - she. The Exxon Valdez - she...)

Cars, on the other hand, are not usually referred to as "she's."

The interesting thing here is that German, as well as Spanish, is a gendered language. Examples: spoon (Löffel) is masculine, fork (Gabel) is feminine, knife (Messer) is neuter. There is no kind of regularity, whatsoever, as to what gender a noun may have.

Now, ship (Schiff) is neuter. But once a ship is given a name (even if it is a masculine and male name like "King Harry"), these ships are referred to as feminine: "The "King Harry" sank last night. She had hit an iceberg."

Cars are also neuter. But cars are (almost) never referred to as "she's".



Y.

imagine coming here for a sensible answer

I admitted it was a stupid question I didn't ask for sensible answers, though they were more sensible than I'd thought they'd be. And the answers did satisfy my curiosity, and give me a too, so job well done to all.

Emmily

imagine coming here for a sensible answer

Pineapple.

RF

imagine coming here for a sensible answer

Sausages

Emmily

sausage sensible here coming for an emmily

winnoch