2007-03-15 07:51:26 · 4 answers · asked by chain1025 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Jackknifing means the accidental folding of an articulated vehicle (i.e. one towing a trailer) such that it resembles the acute angle of a folding pocket knife. If a vehicle towing a trailer skids, the trailer can push it from behind until it spins round and faces backwards. This may be caused by equipment failure, improper braking, or adverse road conditions such as an icy road surface.
2007-03-15 07:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by Curly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Trucks jackknife due to decreased friction. As the rear wheels on a semi lock up, they begin to want to travel faster than the rest of the truck, due to decreased friction. When this happens, AND the truck is not ideally and perfectly straight, the
rear end will travel out and around the braking wheels. Most times this happens, the truck is attempting to stop for some obstruction.
Have you ever watched a diver jump off a diving board while he did a "jackknife?" Touching his finger tips to his toes while in mid air? In essence, this is what happens to trucks that jackknife.
2007-03-15 15:08:24 · answer #2 · answered by Incognito 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that the truck had lost control and went into a skid. During the skid, the weight of the trailer pushed the trailer pass the truck, bringing the truck into the side of trailer. The term jacknife comes from the result of the accident. If you look at the truck and trailer from the top it looks like a pocket knife that has been slightly opened. Take your pocket knife and open and close it. It resembles the truck and trailer.
2007-03-15 14:57:53 · answer #3 · answered by william74044 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Referring to automobile accidents, when a car is totaled to the point of folding in on itself, much like a jacknife.
Origin: [Origin: 1705–15, Americanism; jack1 (cf. jockteleg) + knife]
2007-03-15 15:04:33 · answer #4 · answered by guRl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋