On Fri, 7 Oct 2016 16:27:57 +0100, Miloch wrote
(in article <nt8ett0t3u@drn.newsguy.com>):
> ...and don't get me started on the name 'Spitfire'...where'd that name come
> from?
A 'spitfire' is a not uncommon word used to describe someone, usually a
woman, who has a fiery temper. I've always assumed that this is where the
aircraft got its name from.
Having said that, the Online Etymology Dictionary claims that the word dates
from around 1600 and originally meant a cannon - a simple combination of
'spit' and 'fire'. The meaning of an "irascible, passionate person" dates
from the 1670s.
Interestingly, the word 'spitfire' applied to a cannon allegedly replaced the
earlier term 'shitfire' - maybe Supermarine should have gone with that.
As for the Belvedere, I suppose there's a chance that Bristol were inspired
by Chrysler's Plymouth Belvedere which was first produced about 5 years
before the helicopter.
Happy to help.
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