Translation help needed. Semi OT

[TodFitch]

Whilst (how is that for a good English word) leaving London on M1 this morning we were passed by a panel van that listed "Upholstery and Car Trimming" on the back. My wife said "car trimming" meant "detailing" i.e. cleaning back to new (or as close as possible). I think it means auto upholstery.

Any UK members on this board want to settle this? Thanks!

Edited August 12, 2009 by TodFitch

[Young Ed]

I cant confirm but I am with you. Although would it make sense to say upholstery and car upholstery?

[BobT-47P15]

I vote for the upholstry angle.......because one part of auto upholstry is referred

to as "trim" work.

[Jim Yergin]

Tod,

This is what Wikipedia says.

Jim Yergin

An Automotive upholsterer is also known as a Trimmer, Coachtrimmer or Motor Trimmer. The trade shares many of the skills required in upholstery, in addition to being able to work with carpet.

The term Coachtrimmer derives from the days when car bodies were produced by manufactures and delivered to Coachbuilders to add a car body and interior trimmings. Trimmers would produce soft furnishings, carpets, soft tops and roof linings often to order to customer specifications. Later Trim shops were often an in-house part of the production line as the production process was broken down into smaller parts manageable by semi-skilled labor.

Many automotive trimmers now work either in automotive design or with aftermarket trim shops carrying out repairs, restorations or conversions for customers directly. A few high quality motor car manufacturers still employ trimmers, for example Aston Martin. The way the market is changing and manufacturers are cutting corners, it is a better idea to use a trim shop to use aftermarket materials. Adding your own touch can be a way to show originality while retaining the retail value of the vehicle. In some cases actually raising the retail value. Trim shops are now equipped with a higher quality, longer lasting and better color fastness, than many manufacturers.

[grey beard]

Tod,

By the bye, whilst perusing yer new thread, I decided the question now becomes, how long in the passed has it been since you were past by that truck?

Is such a question purely rhetorical, or is it simply the profinity of assininity?

Ain't Englitch fun?

[Niel Hoback]

I spent last week in Yorkshire. It seems I don't speak English because I really had a hard time with some of these Yorkshiremen. I found some great fish and chips, though.

[TodFitch]

Tod,

By the bye, whilst perusing yer new thread, I decided the question now becomes, how long in the passed has it been since you were past by that truck?

Is such a question purely rhetorical, or is it simply the profinity of assininity?

Ain't Englitch fun?

English is a wonderful language once you get the hung of it... I just noticed that word misuse before getting to your reply.

Now I just need someone from the UK to confirm "trimming" for me.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I use the word a bit different, as in after a good meal, nothing like a good cup of hot coffee, little trim and a nap..you figure it out..

[Andydodge]

Tod, I ain't a pommy but "Motor Trimming" is also used here in Oz to mean "Auto Upholstery"........which is also used here......manglish, as she is spoke..........lol............at least we here don't use "wings" for fenders, mudguards are more common........andyd

[PatS....]

In Canada, a mudguard is on a big truck behind the tandem wheels and is made of rubber.

And we would use "Auto Upholsterer" as well.

[Robin (UK)]

Answer from a genuine Englishman... A car trimmer is an auto upholsterer.

Will you be back in London?

If so, let me know and we'll see if we can hook up.

Hope you're enjoying your stay in the UK.

Robin.

[Captain Neon]

In Canada, a mudguard is on a big truck behind the tandem wheels and is made of rubber.

And we would use "Auto Upholsterer" as well.

You Canucks have been corrupted by your proximity to them Yanks.

I've been trying my best to learn antebellum Southron for years.

[TodFitch]

Answer from a genuine Englishman... A car trimmer is an auto upholsterer.

Will you be back in London?

If so, let me know and we'll see if we can hook up.

Hope you're enjoying your stay in the UK.

Robin.

We will be returning to London on Saturday (rental car needs to be returned by 4PM) and flying back to San Francisco Sunday morning. I think we will be seeing the Old Globe theater Saturday evening. So not much time to hook up. However the company I am now working for has engineering offices in Poole and I might be visiting that facility from time to time which could give other opportunities as Heathrow is the nearest international airport.

Now I just need to collect my 1 pound bet from my better half.

[Robin (UK)]

Hi Tod,

No problem.

I'll not be home this weekend, anyway - Colette and I are off to the Hotrod Hayride.

Drop me a line when you're back in the UK.

I hope we can hook up for a ride in my convertible.

Enjoy your weekend and have a great flight home.

The Globe is fantastic. You'll enjoy that.

Robin.

[Richard Coney]

For what it's worth from another Brit, the word "Trimmer" in the context used does refer to auto uphostery and automotive carpet. Compared to the proliferation of custom uphostery shops in the States, often referred to in the street rod press when describing someone's amazing new cutom interior, they seem to be somewhat scarce over here, limited to bespoke, upmarket, repairs and improvements to high value cars. Fitting leather interiors and Wilton carpet, for example, to Rolls, Bentleys, Aston Martin etc..

Richard (Middlesex, NW of London)

[greg g]

I would be careful about using the term hook up. While it might mean to attach a wagon to a tractor, or speakers to a stereo, or a casual social meeting, in today's social jargon it has a much different meaning.

Generally used by the younger generation to indicate a desire for, a willingness to, or a confirmation of a couple having carnal knowledge. As in Oh man, I gotta hook up with that. Or, lets go to my place and hook up, or Did you know Jack and Diane were hooking up? Or used as a term of disgust. I would never hook up with that?

But things are different in England, and if you blokes do hook up in Robins car, I believe they refer to that as "dogging" .

[Merle Coggins]

I would be careful about using the term hook up. While it might mean to attach a wagon to a tractor, or speakers to a stereo, or a casual social meeting, in today's social jargon it has a much different meaning.

Generally used by the younger generation to indicate a desire for, a willingness to, or a confirmation of a couple having carnal knowledge. As in Oh man, I gotta hook up with that. Or, lets go to my place and hook up, or Did you know Jack and Diane were hooking up? Or used as a term of disgust. I would never hook up with that?

But things are different in England, and if you blokes do hook up in Robins car, I believe they refer to that as "dogging" .

... and that brings us back to Tim's comment about getting a little trim before his nap.

[Don Coatney]

... and that brings us back to Tim's comment about getting a little trim before his nap.

Trim? Eddie Murphy?