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From: jlg@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: etymology of phrase, "kicking the tires" ??
Message-ID: <21724@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 15-Feb-85 14:54:36 EST
Article-I.D.: lanl.21724
Posted: Fri Feb 15 14:54:36 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 18-Feb-85 05:49:00 EST
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Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Kicking tires was something people actually did (some still do) when
buying a vehicle.  Originally, it was a fast way to determine whether
tha car had solid rubber tires or inflatable tires - I have no idea
which were prefered on these early model cars.  Up until recently, it
may have been possible for a very sensitive foot to determine whether
the tire was properly inflated by kicking.  Today, with radials and so
many different tire brands (all with differing characteristics) I doubt
that tire kicking is of much real value.  However, it doesn't really
harm the tire, and it's a tradition - kick away.

J. Giles