# Words one can get confused **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772 "2022-09-18T20:10:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 50
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/984 "2024-07-13T07:52:30Z")
They’re often used interchangeably, but in some contexts a motor runs on electricity and an engine runs on combustible fuel ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/985 "2024-07-13T11:31:03Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > a motor runs on electricity and an engine runs on combustible fuel This is how I was taught the ‘difference’. Electric Motor. Gasoline Engine. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/986 "2024-07-13T11:47:54Z")
Then how do you account for terms like “motorcar” “the motor trade” and so on? ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/987 "2024-07-13T15:32:04Z")
As I said > [@markn\_1](#): > > They’re often used interchangeably but when a distinction is made, it’s usually based on whether they’re powered by electricity or fuel. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/988 "2024-07-13T16:43:04Z")
Engine predates fuel powered machines. ‘Engine’ is derived from ‘ingenious’ and was used in concepts like ‘siege engines’ and simply to ideas at times. The distinction between electric and fuel burning motors is recent and already disappearing. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/989 "2024-07-13T17:56:52Z")
I still see it quite frequently in the context of hybrid automobiles. Just from the first page of google hits: [US Dept of Energy](https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-hybrid-electric-cars-work): > Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors [Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-do-hybrid-cars-work-a1034181509/): > hybrids combine a gas engine, a battery, and an electric motor [US Dept. of Energy again](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml): > Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors. [Car and Driver](https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a26390899/what-is-hybrid-car/): > A hybrid automobile is one that uses both an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion [Science Direct](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/hybrid-motor): > In the case of hybrid-electric systems, the presence of the electric motor allows using the heat engine more efficiently ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/990 "2024-07-15T14:59:50Z")
Nowadays engines are pretty much all fuel burning. Not necessarily just the piston engines in cars, but also jet engines, rocket engines, etc. Combustion is the magic differentiator. Motors OTOH have other power sources: electric, hydraulic, compressed air, pressurized water, etc. Terms like motorcar and “the motor trade” are anachronisms left over from the early days of automobiles. Plus the pretention factor: Rolls Royce makes “motorcars”. Yugo did not. Despite both having technologically equivalent power sources. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/991 "2024-07-16T19:53:11Z")
**command** : an order; to give orders **commander** : one who commands **commandeer** : to take over ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/992 "2024-07-16T21:46:35Z")
**commandant** : an officer in charge of a particular force or institution. **commandment** : a divine rule, especially one of the Ten Commandments. **commando** : a soldier specially trained to carry out raids, or not wearing underwear ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/993 "2024-07-18T02:33:44Z")
PS. speaking of engines, sometimes they are spoken of familiarly as **gins** , like the **whim gin** or the **cotton gin**. Not to be confused with the stuff that comes from Antwerp. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/994 "2024-07-21T23:53:29Z")
**tout** : to try to sell a thing, to promote; to watch, look upon **tote** : to carry or bear **toot** : to stand out or be prominent; to peep, look out; to make a sound like that of a horn, etc. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/995 "2024-07-22T00:22:28Z")
**tote** or **toat** is also a word for the handle of a carpenter’s plane. Speaking of which, **plane** : a tool for flattening wood; a flat geometrical surface; a flying vehicle; a type of tree **plain** : an expanse of level ground; unembellished, not ornate; clear to the mind or senses ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/996 "2025-05-14T17:31:00Z")
**inoculate** : immunize (someone) against a disease by introducing infective material, microorganisms, or vaccine into the body. **inculcate** : instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction. e.g.: “we inoculated our children against right-wing misinformation by inculcating habits of skeptical thought”. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/997 "2025-05-14T17:52:45Z")
**orology** : the study of mountains **horology** : the study of time ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/998 "2025-05-14T18:33:45Z")
urology: the study of disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/999 "2025-05-14T18:36:45Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **horology** : the study of time I confess I had never heard of this term, so I looked it up. It’s may be more accurate to say that it’s the study of timekeeping and the measurement of time. The word is considered a synonym of chronometry. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/1000 "2025-05-14T20:55:16Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > chronometry Not to be confused with… **chronology**! ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/1001 "2025-05-14T22:39:31Z")
Or **chronography** (“the description of past times”) or **chronoscopy** (“observation and estimation of time”), or **chrononomy** (“mode of reckoning and measuring time”, _rare_) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/1002 "2025-05-14T22:43:22Z")
The difference between Austria and Australia is important, when buying an airplane ticket. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/1003 "2025-05-14T23:49:39Z")
There are three San Jose’s with significant air service. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=51)