What is the origin and exact meaning of the word “fliver” or “flivver,” and which spelling is preferred? I’ve heard it used to mean a jalopy, or specifically a Model T. Henry Ford also had a plane in the late 20s called the Flivver. I assume he name it that **after **people used the word to describe his cars.
The OED says, “of obscure origin.” It give the following original definition:
First cite is from 1910. The Model T was first sold in 1908, so it’s possible the word was originally used for the Model T, since it was one of the few cheap cars of the time; one cite from 1924 indicates that a flivver = Model T Ford.