But the roots are different, Henry!! Gas comes from a word invented by a Belgian chemist, who died in in 1644 (before you were known about??!) from the Greek word "chaos". Your gas is short for gasoline, and an American colloquialism. Petrol is refined petroleum, from the Greek "petra" = rock, and Latin "oleum" meaning oil. I know that will fascinate you. Apparently the most precise language in the world is French, and is used in International Law. Just because there are heaps of you doesn't mean you have a monopoly on the English language, does it now, Henry!! :>)
Regards, Rob Chapman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Henry S. Winokur" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 2:36 PM Subject: Re: Kawasaki mystery > > Question for those over the pond , if you call petrol "gas" , what do you > > call gas ( the stuff you'd cook with ) always wanted to know . > > Well, Nick, they're both 'gas'. One is for the stove or the heat and one is > for vehicles. What's so difficult about that? > > Likewise, if you call gas 'petrol' because it comes from petroleum, how come > you don't call gas--used for cooking--petrol? It basically comes from the > same place... > > Regards, > > Henry S. Winokur > 94 GTS1000, R1100RT-P, AMA, MRF, > Nationally Certified Riding Instructor > Columbia, MD Ride for Kids Task Force > West Bethesda, MD USA --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.427 / Virus Database: 240 - Release Date: 7/12/2002
