On Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:50:46 +0100, Graeme Wall wrote:

On 21/04/2011 12:02, Peter Campbell Smith wrote:
Peter wrote in
:

The use of "engine" for electric motor is unheard of.

What about winding engines in mines?

Were they not originally steam engines?

Originally they were horses (horse whims were "engines"), or probably
humans on winches (a winch was an "engine" too).

--
Andy Breen, not speaking on behalf of Aberystwyth University "The
internet, that wonderful tool for bringing us into contact with things
that make us wish we could scrub our brains out with dental
floss.." (Charlie Stross)