Our Guide to Car Terms In Different Countries

If you’ve lived in Springfield, MO, or anywhere else in the United States for that matter, you’ve probably always heard the rear compartment of your car referred to as the trunk. The front has always been the hood, too. You may never have heard them called the “boot” and the “bonnet.” But, as experienced car sales pros, the Thompson Sales team has come across a few unfamiliar phrases over the years. Depending on where you are, or where you’re from, you might have heard all kinds of different names for the various different parts of a vehicle or the vehicles themselves.

Trunk or Boot?

The UK and the US have a lot of differences in terminology, despite sharing a lot of heritage. Few places demonstrate this better than car sales. The US and the UK differ in all kinds of terms when it comes to the automotive industry. Referring to the trunk of a car in the UK will probably get the point across, but calling it the “boot” here in the US is just going to confuse people.

The same can be said for the hood of the car, which is almost always called the “bonnet” in the UK. You also have the “aerial” rather than the antenna, the “gear stick” in place of the stick shift, and the “windscreen” rather than the windshield.

It’s not just limited to the car, either. Parking your car across the pond means finding a “car park,” rather than a parking lot, and driving down the motorway (rather than the freeway), you’re likely to encounter “lorries” instead of semi-trucks.

Beyond the US and the UK

It’s not just the United States and the United Kingdom that differ in terms in cars, trucks and other vehicles. Australia, which often seems like a combination of US and British culture, has its own unique nomenclature for cars. For example, a “servo” is a full-service gas station, and a “ute” (pronounced “yoot”) is a utility vehicle.

Our cousins to the north in Canada also have a few unique terms. If you’ve ever traveled far enough north, you might have heard a multi-level parking garage referred to as a parkade. You might have also heard the mysterious phrases “hang a Roger” and “hang a Larry,” which are just slightly more cryptic ways of telling someone to turn right or left.

Contact Us for Knowledgeable and Professional Car Sales

Looking for local car sales? If you’re shopping new, used or certified pre-owned vehicles in Springfield, MO, you’ll find what you need at Thompson Sales. We’ve been serving the Springfield area for decades, and can help you find the perfect vehicle. We also offer repairs and maintenance with friendly customer service that you can trust. Contact Thompson Sales at (417) 763-6811 and visit our car sales lot today!