2007-01-15 01:16:41 · 8 answers · asked by furshluginer 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
hi im bob
2007-01-15 01:19:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The correct name is a tractor - trailer combination. The full name of the tractor units is a road tractor.
The word semi only describes the trailer portion.
A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle.
A large proportion of its weight is supported either by a road tractor or by a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly.
A semi-trailer is normally equipped with legs which can be lowered to support it when it is uncoupled.
A road tractor coupled to a semi-trailer is often called a semi-trailer truck or semi.
2007-01-15 09:31:17 · answer #2 · answered by cdavidbutler2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a sort of Truck Driver Slang...
Actually DOT Slang.
The Truck is actually called TRACTOR,,,
It's the Trailer part that's called " SEMI "
The term originates way back when Tractor~Trailer rigs were first invented.
The Drivers Usually did not know what the actual Load Contents were---because they just hooked up to a loaded trailer and took it to the destination specified.
They're DRIVERS,,not Freight Agents.
The DOT Inspectors out on the road would pull over the rigs and ask the drivers what they were hauling.
The Drivers would answer,
" Good Morning,Officer.Very Nice to See You.
I am happy that You have chosen Me this morning to inspect.
I do not know Sir, what is in my trailer"
I suppose because of the Road Noise and Passing traffic,etc,
The DOT guys never heard the First part of the greeting.,,,only the very last part of the Driver's response.
Which from a Truck Driver to a DOT Inspector,,,,,,,
"......is in my trailer"....
sounds like
".... 's in (N
The DOT folks did not know how to Spell or Write that "Word" to fill in their report where it asked..
"What is the load being transported?"
Soo they invented an Abreviation of "it is in my trailer"
which came to be WRITTEN as SEMI,,,
also explains why it's pronounced "SIM -EYE"
instead of "Sim-EEEE" as the actual prefix SEMI- is usually pronounced.
The Term Stuck,,and Trailers came to be known as "sem-i's"
And Mountains of paperwork was invented so the Dot Folks could have something look at while standing on side of the road instead of asking the Driver's what they were carrying.
2007-01-15 10:52:57 · answer #3 · answered by TXm42 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A semi is a trailer that is partially carried on its wheels, and partially carried by the tow truck.
A true trailer is one that is carried completely on its own wheels. It's attached to the tow truck by a tongue, but none of the load is on the tow vehicle.
2007-01-15 09:27:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Semi is a prefix meaning half: semi-tractor or semi-trailer which means one of the half's of a tractor-trailer.
2007-01-15 10:18:22 · answer #5 · answered by Tom W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a semi-freight. A freight would be a train.
2007-01-15 09:20:09 · answer #6 · answered by gnomus12 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because it has half the number of wheels as a full... which has 36
2007-01-15 09:19:55 · answer #7 · answered by milkyman 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because it is.
2007-01-15 09:51:20 · answer #8 · answered by michelegokey2002 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋