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Why BMW bikes are Beemers, but cars are Bimmers?

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:00 am
by ebincia
Ever wonder why BMW bikes are "Beemers" but the cars are "Bimmers." I found the following at Wikipedia.


[BMW] Culture


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."

Wikipedia (2007). Culture. Retrieved December 30, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmw

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:58 pm
by Sunbeemer
That's interesting. I used to have a beeser when I was (much) younger...now I'm a geeser with a beemer!

Anyway, I thought they were beemers because of the speedy way they smoothly tele(s)ported a passenger from one place to another, like, "Beam me up, Scotty!" :D :D

Maybe you're too young to get that reference (if not, you wish!)

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:42 pm
by ruddy
If you go to a bookstore with a large periodicals section like Borders or Barnes & Noble, you'll find a BMW car enthusiast's magazine called Bimmer. I'm frequently seeing BMW bikes called "bimmers" in motocycle magazines. You'd think they'd know better! :?

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:32 am
by ebincia
ruddy wrote: [...] BMW bikes called "bimmers" :?
Over my dead body, to call a BMW motorcycle a bimmer in the greatest insult possible. :x :twisted: :evil:

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:14 am
by Marku
There so many retards with BMW cars that call them beemers. I'd say most if not all of them. I've met crazy BMW car enthusiasts that wear BMW shirts and hats and call their car a beemer.

I don't think it's a big deal. But, wow do some put up a fight when you correct them. :roll:

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:56 am
by Ian
both my best mate and i both call our bike bimmers



or his is the land barge and mines the biplane!