Does 'Kettle' Offend You?

[madhattie]

The fact you don't understand rather proves my point really.

The only thing 'proven' is that the vast majority don't find the term 'kettle' derogatory.

[Rich_Eason]

The fact you don't understand rather proves my point really.

Not sure what you meaning here? Are you suggesting I dont understand?

I understand quite clearly whats being said

My point, call it what you will is, I do not have the time, effort or inclination to be worried about what things are called, when someone starts getting uptight and fires off emails left right and centre getting huffy makes you wonder if they have too much time on their hands.

They need to just get on and enjoy the hobby.

[41319]

You possibly don't understand that the term is usually meant in a dismissive way. There aren't any classes, they are all kettles, is the underlying meaning.

It would be interesting to know whether diesel captions ignoring classes and referring to all of them as boxes would be appreciated. Unlikely.

Its probably an age issue as much as anything. I'm old(ish)

[DAVE]

Amazed to see this "rearing" its head again!
As I stated before WHO CARES, I am into my late fifties, a steam "enthusiast" if thats the word and I could not care less what steam engines or diesels are called.
It is such a trivial thing I find it hard to believe anyone would be offended by the use of this or any other term, there are far more things to worry about in this world than this.
By the way I had a great dayout last Saturday at the WSR gala and am planning another trip there this weekend. The "Kettles" were all absolutely superb!!!!

Dave Nailsea

[Rich_Eason]

The "Kettles" were all absolutely superb!!!!

[graham p]

just to stur it up a bit, my only problem with calling steam engines kettles. is the fact that a diesel is a more efficient boiler of water than a steam engine !
Per calorific value of fuel used a diesel is a better water boiler,
most of the heat from a steam locos coal goes up the chimney and a bit heats the water
whilst with a diesel engine some of the calorific value of the fuel is used to push the pistons down,but a larger percentiage of the calorfic value of the fuel is developed into heat ,and as a engine block is so nicely wrapped with water jackting which Boils the water in the cooling system at a far greater rate than in a steam boiler.which is why you have such dam big radiators on locos
So are diesels also kettles but better kettles ?

[horace]

Yes, but even a diesel is not as efficient at producing heat as the poor fellow that seems to find kettles offensive.

All a load of hot air about nothing if you ask me.

kettles cover every steam loco,

diesel covers every diesel engined loco and even electrics in my day,

Anorak covers all of us,

I find it strange what people get upset about.

[bristolian]

Afternoon everyone,

To appease both camps, I suggest a one-off use of the term 'diseasel'. That should help placate the anti-kettleist brigade.

(Before anybody asks, I like all forms of railway power. Living here on the ECML, I get to phot and video steam, diesel, and electric traction. Not as much steam as I'd like, mind )

Very Best Wishes,
Bob.

[graham p]

Yes, but even a diesel is not as efficient at producing heat as the poor fellow that seems to find kettles offensive.

All a load of hot air about nothing if you ask me.

kettles cover every steam loco,
Yes but it also covers Diesels !

diesel covers every diesel engined loco and even electrics in my day,
steam engines can use diesel oil as a fuel well

Anorak covers all of us,
Er yep cant argue except i have never owned one myself thank god !

I find it strange what people get upset about.

[Gloriousnse]

I think that is where the objections come from, one casual word to describe an entire form of propulsion, without any acknowledgment of the differences. In that sense, all diesels can equally be dismissed as boxes.

I don't, I know they are not just boxes but, steam locos in all their huge variety are not just kettles either.

Sorry, got to disagree - I don't think the reason it's seen as objectionable by some is that it's a 'catch all' phrase for a steam loco - "Sparky" to my mind is a catch-all for an electric loco which doesn't seem to have the negative vibes that this gives off?

I'm sure it has been used in a negative way at times, but most uses of it these days are purely as slang/shorthand for steam loco, not as a derogatory term.

Seems odd to me that folk would thing of this site as 'anti-steam' when it features such great historical images...

That particular person also complained about my use of the word 'bug' to describe a DMU (which is head-scratchable, I'm the only person I know who goes out his way to see 'em and photograph 'em! all other photters I come across feel that their camera is dirtied in some way if they point it at them...)

No - there are more folk than you that shoot units...did someone mention anoraks...

[Grayo59]

I had a motorbike (Suzuki GT750) that was nicknamed a kettle - because in a time of mainly aircooled engines (1970's) it had a radiator and watercooling!

I quite liked the nickname and also do for steam engines.

[tugboatcharly2]

If you fellows amongst you had worked on these machines you would know that they were called more than such a nice name as a KETTLE! some were called girls names others my beauty and then we come to the unmentionables to which I leave to your imagination. Happy steaming lads!

[mow]

Recently saw a reference to Kettle Veg on one of the SWGD posts, I don't suppose that it was particularly complementary in its way but it is another example of the evolving English language. But for some reason it made me laugh. However, the slang associated with diesel tours seems to evolve and continues to amuse me.

I will try not to make references to parafin cans, boxes on wheels in future postings.