Author Topic: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)  (Read 17167 times)

Offline joeyb747

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Re: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)
« Reply #25 on: March 10, 2011, 07:33:55 PM »
Does anyone know why the shuttles are referred to as "she's"?

Pretty much any vehicle or vessel is usually considered to be female. It goes back a long way in history to the days when ships were the ideal mode of transportation. Traditionally, most ships were named after, or in honor of a female. Commonly the wife/daughter/mother of the boats owner or captain, or a female in power (I.E. Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth).

"Steady as she goes!"

"The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay had they put fifteen more miles behind her." Lyrics from Grodon Lightfoot, about a ship with a male name, the "Edmund Fitzgerald".

...all the way up to "I'm givin' it all she's got, Captain!" (Add heavy Scottish accent, if you like... :wink:)

Below are just a few examples of famous ships with female names:

#1: Steamer "Empress Of Britain"

#2: Steamer "Queen Mary"

#3: Lake Freighter "Courtney Burton", sister ship to the "Edmound Fitzgerald". Oddly enough, most lake ships are given male names, or named after landmarks or cities along the lakes. Few actually have female names, but all are called "her".  8-)

#4: Fishing Vessel "Andrea Gail", lost in the Atlantic during "The Perfect Storm" (yes, that's a true story).


« Last Edit: March 10, 2011, 09:12:43 PM by joeyb747 »

alltheway

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Re: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)
« Reply #26 on: March 10, 2011, 07:47:24 PM »
 8-) That goes for the English world, but in the Netherlands for example everything is "he"  

he doesn't start (car) It's the fatherland vs Mothercountry, ect....

This is why they drive the wrong side of the road in the Uk, Australia, Japan, and numerous other counties...

Example:

Wive: "The car won't start"
Husband: "He won't start? Well let's take a look at her"
« Last Edit: March 10, 2011, 07:49:48 PM by alltheway »

Offline joeyb747

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Re: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)
« Reply #27 on: March 10, 2011, 08:56:42 PM »
World War Two saw a lot of aircraft with female names or references to females..."Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby", "Lady Luck", "Pretty Polly", "Playmate", "Diamond Lil", "D-Day Doll", "Slick Chick", and "Blonde Bomber" to name a few. Most of the nose art that went along with those names is not appropriate to post here, but below are a few examples of nose art and names that are appropriate to post.  8-)

#1: Probably the most famous one, B-17F "Memphis Belle".

#2: This beautiful bird resides at KYIP, owned by the "Yankee Air Force", B-17G "Yankee Lady".

#3: B-17G "Sentimental Journey" is owned by the "Commemorative Air Force".

#4: B-25J "Show Me", owned by "Commemorative Air Force".

I hope this helps...I know it's a long answer to a short question...but in a very round-about way, that is why the space shuttle is called "her".  :-D

« Last Edit: March 10, 2011, 09:13:44 PM by joeyb747 »

Offline Dan CZQM

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Re: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)
« Reply #28 on: March 14, 2011, 12:22:39 PM »
An interesting twist the the thread.  Keep the examples coming.

Dan

alltheway

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Re: SPACE SHUTTLE COMING IN FOR A LANDING (03/09/2011)
« Reply #29 on: March 14, 2011, 04:35:03 PM »
I liked this one from the link below: "Because you spend all your money on them, you love their company, and they are high maintence, and will kill you if you cross "her" :lol:"


http://www.answerspice.com/c103/220171/why-is-ships-cars-planes-a-she


And they can have babies.... (attached)
« Last Edit: March 14, 2011, 04:55:07 PM by alltheway »