Ferroequinologists

port perran · August 10, 2018, 09:40:03 PM

Just come across this word..

Ferro iron
Equin horse
Ologist English for a person who studies or has knowledge od sonething.

So, we are indeed ferroequinologists

Newportnobby · August 10, 2018, 09:43:07 PM

Indeed we are, and we all know it's good to have an 'ology'

Bealman · August 11, 2018, 12:01:21 AM

I hope they have one at my funeral

NinOz · August 11, 2018, 02:36:24 AM

I first saw the term around 1975 in a US magazine, and many times since.
I don't know how old it is but have seen a reference to it from 1947, so suppose the origin is much older.

woodbury22uk · August 11, 2018, 09:25:18 AM

Not sure if it is iron but this one stands on the platform at Birmingham New Street station, and there are several others at various locations alongside the West Coast Main Line. On the upside approaching Wolverton/Milton Keynes it is in a field grazing.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/abrinsky/3247532964/?ytcheck=1&new_session=1

Bealman · August 11, 2018, 09:27:32 AM

Is that real? The statue, I mean, not the horse!

woodbury22uk · August 11, 2018, 09:35:51 AM

Statue? is the slang word for a telephone? Not sure which statue you are commenting on.

EDIT: Oh you mean the horse shape. Yes it is a real statue. Birmingham has a surreal Bull, a Mummy's tomb, Queen Victoria, and three carpet salesman - Boulton, Murdoch and Watt. Railway connections there too.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186402-d214276-r484063461-Three_Wise_Men-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html

martyn · August 11, 2018, 12:24:04 PM

I'm sure I first came across this word in a fairly early 'Model Railway Journal', and, IIRC, dates from late Victorian railway enthusiasts.

Martyn

Newportnobby · August 11, 2018, 12:35:22 PM

The French also have 'chemin de fer' which, if my schoolboy French serves me well, means 'iron road'
I always believed the term 'iron horse' originated with Native Americans in the USA.

joe cassidy · August 11, 2018, 01:00:09 PM

I think the French term for us nutters is "ferroviaphile" or something like that.

Best regards,

Joe

broadsword · August 11, 2018, 01:16:17 PM

The French always have a word for it. Many moons ago HP sauce had its description in French as well
English. Apparently the sauce was ideal with jam bones and poisons. I think the phrase iron horse was from the wild west, same as the rifle was the stick that spoke thunder.

woodbury22uk · August 11, 2018, 01:29:07 PM

This iron steam horse was featured in a recent BRM magazine.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Horse_locomotive

Railwaygun · August 11, 2018, 04:21:18 PM

ISTR les Amis du ferroviaire

Friends of the Iron way