Graham Stretch wrote :
>
> Hi Deano
> Thanks for straightening that out, is semi an abbreviation of
> anything or is
> that it. I take it that a semi is articulated?
Dean Paige replied :
> Don't think it's an abbreviation. Have no clear idea of its origin. And,
> yes they are articulated.
Trying to get my in-box cleaned out here ... I believe the original term was
"semi-tractor-trailer", with the "semi" part indicating that the tractor
carries roughly 50% of the trailer's weight, rather than the usual 10-15%
for a pure trailer. Not the only form of articulated truck/lorry
hereabouts, but by far the most common. My daily commute takes me past the
main corridor between Los Angeles harbor and Los Angeles; semis are actually
more common than cars along that route !
If anyone is interested (which I doubt), there is a nice gallery of American
truck photos at
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/paul_kane.htm
Randall
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