In article <0001HW.D41EAFCB00078BD5B03139BF@news-europe.giganews.com>, Netko
says...
>
>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.
>
At least it wasn't "Doubtfire"...as in Mrs.
...just sayin'
>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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