Sportscar entymology - anorak?

[paul-collins]

What does TGF stand for? Oh, wait, wrong forum. (plus I know that one already)

I recently was called an anorak by a couple of drivers (not to my face, mind - but I was told that it was to be taken as a compliment).

What does it mean, and how did the use of this word come to mean it?

[Cobra]

I think that it came about as ageneral description for people who are willing to stand around wrapped in their anoraks in any kind of weather to study or support their interests, no matter how obscure or pointless those interests may appear to others.
I've a cousin who is a trainspotter and the term anorak absolutely delights him as it is also used to describe someone who is very knowledgable on a subject (usually by those that are not)
Something like that anyway!

[KC]

I think the term originally comes from the rally fan ranks in England. I think it refers to the hardcore loyal fans that brave the cold weather in Wales in the early morning to catch a glimpse of their favorite driver blasting through the forests on the British Rally. Naturally, as the weather dictates, they are wearing heavy, weather proof coats called anoraks.

Do I have this right Brits?

[Graham Goodwin]

Yep!

[paul-collins]

Ok, so it's a crossover from rallying.

I guess, given the weather sportscars regularly run in (given that the weather target is suitably long, unlike sprint races which can - in theory, anyway - wait out the foul elements) that it's a natural for this term to be applied.

I'm just picturing Speed Tribe, now... Especially that lass who's picking her way around a puddle . Mmmmm, racing.

Hey Graham, how about a suitably orange pullover?

[Aysedasi]

Well I've even got an "anoraks" page on my website!

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by paul-collins


Hey Graham, how about a suitably orange pullover?

Will a suitably orange Spyker jacket do?

(Sorry Liz.... )

[Woolley]

While that is a good description of rallying in England, I'm sure the this meaning of the word is derived from train-spotters - vast knowledge of the truly useless gained by extreme personal discomfort.

Do we still have train spotters? Not enough trains to spot these days, surely.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Woolley
Do we still have train spotters? Not enough trains to spot these days, surely.

Yeah, you see them on New Street trying to note down the numbers of train carriages that all look the same. A bit like looking for the differences between F1 cars, except the numbers are smaller.

I knew someone who committed suicide by lying on a railway line and waiting for a train. Died of starvation. Tragic, really.

[Fab]

Originally posted by ensign14
I knew someone who committed suicide by lying on a railway line and waiting for a train. Died of starvation. Tragic, really.

If we lay on LM track tha whole year, do you think they could run the race two times instead of one ? :confused:

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by ensign14


I knew someone who committed suicide by lying on a railway line and waiting for a train. Died of starvation. Tragic, really.

Should have spotted buses instead. They always come along in 4's and 5's.......