The Evolution of the Term ‘Chauffeur’

Today, we use the word “chauffeur” to describe the person behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle that can be hired or hired to drive. He may be wearing a top hat, dark suit and white gloves. Hats and gloves are rare these days. But it should always be well prepared. But let’s go back and see what history says about the origin of the word “chafer”?

The word driver dates from about 1896, from the French term stoker, because railroads and ocean liners were powered by steam and required a driver to start the engine. By 1902, early automobiles, like their counterparts, relied on steam. Here comes another first key to being a professional car driver. And the term stuck.

do you know? A woman driver works to drive passenger cars.

Early gasoline and gasoline engines were ignited by hot pipes in the cylinder heads prior to ignition, which had to be preheated before starting the engine. So the term driver in this context means: “top hatter”. The driver defrosts the hot pipes at the start of the trip, after which the engine’s compression cycle keeps them at the correct temperature. Along with car maintenance, which included regular maintenance and cleaning, the driver also had to be a skilled mechanic who had to deal with road and tire wear in the early years of the car industry.

Only the very wealthy could afford the first cars, and they were usually employed as chauffeurs rather than chauffeurs. But referring to a letter to the editor of the New York Times (by Mr. Calvin Thomas) of January 19, 1902, he and the Evening Standard said: “Can we do this with the resources of Shakespeare’s language. This word is a Bad. Import!” Adequate enough, but better than Stoker or Motorman. Don’t forget the driver’s word – you’re knocking in our yard…

Then a 1906 article in the New York Times reported that “the driver’s problem is now the most serious with which the driver has to contend” and complained that “young men of no particular ability, who from 10 a week Got to $12.Promoted to salaried positions paying $25 to $50 and suggested retraining current coach driver.so that was good money!