Just curious but how did the term hack come in to being, in the uk we have outfit's, combinations, combo's, chairs, chariots, but not hacks. Hank
Let me give it a shot, Hank, since no one else has replied. It should be understood that I write with no authority or specific knowledge, so I am just going to hazard a guess.
I would almost guarantee that others with more insight will pipe in once I have opened my mouth. With some luck, you may eventually get a definitive answer.
My guess is that at some point, someone came up with the term because a motorcycle with a sidecar is no longer a pure motorcycle and it has been modified or "hacked up" in order to attach the chair.
Here,we have rigs, hacks, combos and chairs.
A second thought is that while we speak the same basic language, someone, on either side of the pond, delights in using different terms.
I have a dear friend who came over about 30-35 years ago. We have some lively discussions on language and terminology. He says tyres, I say tires: he says petrol, I say gas; he says aluminium (or something like that), I say aluminum.
He also delights in pointing out that, in England, one does not eat fried chicken with their fingers. A proper person will use a knife and fork.
When it is all said and done, it really doesn't matter what terminology we use or how we eat fried chicken. Ron and I delight in our discussions. As a matter of interest, he will arrive later this afternoon to accompany me to a motorcycle show. I reasonably certain that we will discuss the differences between England and the U.S. tonight.
Cheerio!
I have no definitive answer but a guess based on comments made by sidecar racers I've communicated with. In earlier times, perhaps the 1980s and earlier racers would pull bikes apart to install Earles Forks and they would construct sidecars from pieces of metal. I suspect that this hacking apart of bits to make a racing outfit could be a partial explanation of the term "hack".
The term has been around for many years now. It would have been nice if we Yanks had our own Ixion (a once well-known British motorcycle correspondent) to delve into the history of the sidecar and provide for terminology. Ixion wrote a book that was published over 50 years ago in which he examined the history of motorcycles (and including sidecars) in a very readable form (Motorcycle Cavalcade). He told fascinating stories of what it was like in the early days. He mentions caster-wheel sidecars and how the sidecar evolved from the forecar and such. He also provided some terminology. That's why I thought of him.
I had always assumed it was a take off from the cab term, as family members rode in the sidecar and not just on the motorcyle. Years and years back, the sidecar was much more popular with family travel in both the states and overseas as the norm. I just thought the term probably crossed over from Taxis, for in a sense the sidecar was a taxi as well. Just a guess though. But I'll stick with that as my entry into the fray. 🙂
Man, I love Google. I found this refernce in an article from "The Motocycle Riders Foundation:
The term "chair" derived from early sidecars being made of wicker, in the same style as wicker chairs of the day. You'll also hear a number of other names for sidecars, including "hack" (from use as a motorcycle taxi), "rig" (from a fancy horse carriage), "outfit," and "combination" (of motorcycle and sidecar).
Yeah, what Pat and Kirk said.
The "Hack" or Hansom was a definitive type of carriage which became a favorite among those who drove carriages for hire or, as it became known, a "Taxi". It persisted in use when horse drawn carriages were replaced by other forms of transport for hire. If motorcycles with sidecars came to be used as taxies then they too became "Hacks" by association along with any other vehicle used for the same purpose.
Buses were once known as Charablancs. Bus is easier to say and remained popular as the language changed.
Thank for replies but we still don't have an answer i like the taxi idea but it does'nt come from hansom cab it comes from hackney carriage a term still in use over here for taxi.s as they have to display a hackney carriage license on the rear of the cab
I own a "Hack" badge. Shield shaped, slightly crowned, no engraving or fancy work, pin back, sterling silver, stamped HACK with a 3 digit number below, obviously hand made. I'm sure there's a history there but it came sans story or documentation. I suspect it might be English considering the source. I'd put it on my jacket but shiny things attract sticky fingers.
cool
