2007-01-22 13:51:44 · 6 answers · asked by aznchick23 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
The term "beemer" started as an acronym for the abbreviation "BMW," adapted from the early-20th century British pronunciation of BSA (as "beeser" or "beezer"), whose motorcycles were often racing BMWs. Over time, the term became closely associated with BMW motorcycles.
The term "bimmer" was later coined to refer (exclusively) to BMW automobiles. As such, use of the word "beemer" to refer to a BMW automobile is frowned upon by some BMW enthusiasts, because it is the term used for motorcycles. Although the distinction is completely arbitrary, to this day, the media, movies, and most people still use the term "beemer" to refer to the automobiles. Interestingly, in the German language, the common pronunciation of the term "bimmer" is "beemer."
2007-01-22 13:57:32 · answer #1 · answered by lb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LB is right. I'll sum up:
"Beemer" is just a short way of saying BMW.
Beemer is for motorcycles
Bimmer is for automobiles
BMW enthusiasts will get annoyed if people use the wrong spelling.
2007-01-24 11:13:56 · answer #2 · answered by Linkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's simply a bit of phonetic contraction... usually used by people who want to appear really cool and casually about how much they spent on their new toy. The same people who will refer to a Lamborghini as "the Lambo"
"Beee Emmmm Dubya"
"BeeeEmm"... "Beemer".
Note that the contraction doesn't work in their native German
2007-01-22 13:59:50 · answer #3 · answered by IanP 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BMW is known for making airplane engine go bimmer.
2007-01-23 07:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they originated the headlamps
2007-01-22 13:55:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first with headlight technology
2007-01-22 13:54:38 · answer #6 · answered by dustin k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋