2006-09-22 20:33:57 · 10 answers · asked by carmen d 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
They call them Semis because of the fact that the tractor, that is the part of the truck that pulls the trailer, is not a full truck. Once it is hooked up with a trailer it is actually called a tracter trailer or big rig.
2006-09-22 20:43:57 · answer #1 · answered by umcntry 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason that a Truck is called a semi truck is from the day of the rail road. The prefix Semi mean partial. A load was considered what one rail road box car can hold, it would take several trucks just get a load IE one box car. so then the trucks were called semi- or partial load of a box car.
Ever thing back then was centered around the rail road verse today it is centered around the trucks.
2006-09-23 12:05:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not the truck that is a semi, its the trailer.
The semi-trailer has wheels only in the rear and the front is supported by the tractor.
2006-09-23 03:51:52 · answer #3 · answered by nesmith52 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the truck is actually called a tractor and it can't haul anything without a trailer, thus making it a half of a truck meaning semi, SEMI-TRUCK
2006-09-23 05:04:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ron J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are a true fan of making a person laugh. Have agreat weekend and always try to keep us idiots in stiches (aka laughin)
PS: They are never full until they eat that last egg and cheese burrito from MceeDee's.
Oh sorry are you talking about the trucks themselves or the truckers LMAO
2006-09-23 03:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by GrimmyBear 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the 'prime mover' pulls a 'semi-trailer', a trailer that doesn't have wheels at the front.
2006-09-23 03:43:44 · answer #6 · answered by JENNY G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK I'll bite. Articulated semitrailers are half prime mover [cab] and half trailer [the big bit at the back]. Hope this answers your question.
2006-09-23 03:48:19 · answer #7 · answered by Neil S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is a good one, like why do they call it a driveway when you park on it and they call it a parkway but you drive on it..
why are the called apartments if they are together?
why, if it is the most used pencil, do they call it the number 2?
why do they call it a building if it is already built?
why do they call it a tv set if you only get one?
2006-09-23 03:39:24 · answer #8 · answered by penguin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol I am a truck driver..,that was funny.Have a great weekend.
2006-09-23 03:42:07 · answer #9 · answered by halfbright 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gimme a break. Why don't you just sit on your gluteus all day and watch soap operas ?
2006-09-23 03:41:47 · answer #10 · answered by mathlete1 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋