Lee Ayrton

Erm, well... No. The "GP" as it applied to certain WWII 1/4 ton scout
cars was Ford's designation for the vehicle that they built, not the
Army's. The "G" stood for "Government contract" the "P" for 80"
wheelbase and, in the GPW, the "W" stood for ******-designed powerplant.
The generic term "jeep" was in use as military slang for certain vehicles
long before Bantam/******/Ford's creation, and long before Seagar's
Eugene.

From a dictionary published in 1944 (making it a period cite), with a
special section on "War Words" (notice that it covers a range of
vehicles):

Jeep n. (slang) nickname for the small 1/2 ton and the smaller 1/4 ton
command-reconnaissance car now replacing to a great extent the functions
of the cavalry. Some army outfits distinguish between the two sizes by
calling the smaller vehicles "peeps" and the larger ones are then called
"jeeps." Also called jeep buggy and blitz buggy. See PEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Peep n. nickname for the small 1/4 ton scout or reconnaissance military
motor vehicle which holds and can be lifted by four men, who carry rifles
and a machine gun. It covers rough ground rapidly and has a speed of
sixty miles per hour on good roads. Also called bantam, midget, or son of
a jeep. See JEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Scout car n. a small, light, partially armored auto -- with great
cross-country mobility limited only by unfavorable terrain -- employed by
cavalry for transporting men and weapons and for reconnaissance and
patrol; it carries five men, four machine guns and a radio sending and
receiving set. See JEEP and PEEP.

Sea jeep n. (slang) popular nickname for U.S. Army amphibious armored
motor vehicle -- powered by a gasoline engine, carrying a crew of eight,
and capable of operations on land and in water -- being used especially to
force river crossings. Official name: Aqua Cheetah.


The cover of my reprint copy of "TM9-803 War Department Technical Manual"
(February 1944) says "1/4-ton 4x4 Truck (******-Overland Model MB and Ford
Model GPW)", not General Purpose. It _does_ say:

2. DESCRIPTION.
a. Type. This vehicle is a general purpose, personnel, or cargo
carrier especially adaptable for reconnaisance or command, and is
designated as 1/4-ton 4x4 Truck. [...]

I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
trawling with his sig.



On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Jeff Strickland wrote:

> I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo,
> the Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>
> "griffin" <gryffy@DELTHISshaw.ca> wrote in message
> news:fHVCd.700535$Pl.536328@pd7tw1no...
>> After reading Twaldron's post in the horsepower thread, I saw in his sig
>> something about Jeep standing for "G.P." I did a project on this about 6
>> years ago for a school assignment and found this to be a false etymology.
>> Just to refresh my memory I did a search on the origin and found the most
>> comprehensive site I've ever seen on the word "Jeep". It was a very
>> interesting read and definitely one for Bill's link-list.
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/jeeptoys/history.htm
>>
>> That guy really did his homework! Those other two "Jeeps" (Bantam and
>> Ford) look pretty cool. I wonder if anyone (Bill?) has any pics or info
>> of anyone owning one of these and using it on the trail. I'm too lazy
>> to search for it myself, but maybe someone else can dig something up.
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>>
>
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Lee Ayrton

Erm, well... No. The "GP" as it applied to certain WWII 1/4 ton scout
cars was Ford's designation for the vehicle that they built, not the
Army's. The "G" stood for "Government contract" the "P" for 80"
wheelbase and, in the GPW, the "W" stood for ******-designed powerplant.
The generic term "jeep" was in use as military slang for certain vehicles
long before Bantam/******/Ford's creation, and long before Seagar's
Eugene.

From a dictionary published in 1944 (making it a period cite), with a
special section on "War Words" (notice that it covers a range of
vehicles):

Jeep n. (slang) nickname for the small 1/2 ton and the smaller 1/4 ton
command-reconnaissance car now replacing to a great extent the functions
of the cavalry. Some army outfits distinguish between the two sizes by
calling the smaller vehicles "peeps" and the larger ones are then called
"jeeps." Also called jeep buggy and blitz buggy. See PEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Peep n. nickname for the small 1/4 ton scout or reconnaissance military
motor vehicle which holds and can be lifted by four men, who carry rifles
and a machine gun. It covers rough ground rapidly and has a speed of
sixty miles per hour on good roads. Also called bantam, midget, or son of
a jeep. See JEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Scout car n. a small, light, partially armored auto -- with great
cross-country mobility limited only by unfavorable terrain -- employed by
cavalry for transporting men and weapons and for reconnaissance and
patrol; it carries five men, four machine guns and a radio sending and
receiving set. See JEEP and PEEP.

Sea jeep n. (slang) popular nickname for U.S. Army amphibious armored
motor vehicle -- powered by a gasoline engine, carrying a crew of eight,
and capable of operations on land and in water -- being used especially to
force river crossings. Official name: Aqua Cheetah.


The cover of my reprint copy of "TM9-803 War Department Technical Manual"
(February 1944) says "1/4-ton 4x4 Truck (******-Overland Model MB and Ford
Model GPW)", not General Purpose. It _does_ say:

2. DESCRIPTION.
a. Type. This vehicle is a general purpose, personnel, or cargo
carrier especially adaptable for reconnaisance or command, and is
designated as 1/4-ton 4x4 Truck. [...]

I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
trawling with his sig.



On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Jeff Strickland wrote:

> I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo,
> the Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>
> "griffin" <gryffy@DELTHISshaw.ca> wrote in message
> news:fHVCd.700535$Pl.536328@pd7tw1no...
>> After reading Twaldron's post in the horsepower thread, I saw in his sig
>> something about Jeep standing for "G.P." I did a project on this about 6
>> years ago for a school assignment and found this to be a false etymology.
>> Just to refresh my memory I did a search on the origin and found the most
>> comprehensive site I've ever seen on the word "Jeep". It was a very
>> interesting read and definitely one for Bill's link-list.
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/jeeptoys/history.htm
>>
>> That guy really did his homework! Those other two "Jeeps" (Bantam and
>> Ford) look pretty cool. I wonder if anyone (Bill?) has any pics or info
>> of anyone owning one of these and using it on the trail. I'm too lazy
>> to search for it myself, but maybe someone else can dig something up.
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>>
>
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Lee Ayrton

Erm, well... No. The "GP" as it applied to certain WWII 1/4 ton scout
cars was Ford's designation for the vehicle that they built, not the
Army's. The "G" stood for "Government contract" the "P" for 80"
wheelbase and, in the GPW, the "W" stood for ******-designed powerplant.
The generic term "jeep" was in use as military slang for certain vehicles
long before Bantam/******/Ford's creation, and long before Seagar's
Eugene.

From a dictionary published in 1944 (making it a period cite), with a
special section on "War Words" (notice that it covers a range of
vehicles):

Jeep n. (slang) nickname for the small 1/2 ton and the smaller 1/4 ton
command-reconnaissance car now replacing to a great extent the functions
of the cavalry. Some army outfits distinguish between the two sizes by
calling the smaller vehicles "peeps" and the larger ones are then called
"jeeps." Also called jeep buggy and blitz buggy. See PEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Peep n. nickname for the small 1/4 ton scout or reconnaissance military
motor vehicle which holds and can be lifted by four men, who carry rifles
and a machine gun. It covers rough ground rapidly and has a speed of
sixty miles per hour on good roads. Also called bantam, midget, or son of
a jeep. See JEEP and SCOUT CAR.

Scout car n. a small, light, partially armored auto -- with great
cross-country mobility limited only by unfavorable terrain -- employed by
cavalry for transporting men and weapons and for reconnaissance and
patrol; it carries five men, four machine guns and a radio sending and
receiving set. See JEEP and PEEP.

Sea jeep n. (slang) popular nickname for U.S. Army amphibious armored
motor vehicle -- powered by a gasoline engine, carrying a crew of eight,
and capable of operations on land and in water -- being used especially to
force river crossings. Official name: Aqua Cheetah.


The cover of my reprint copy of "TM9-803 War Department Technical Manual"
(February 1944) says "1/4-ton 4x4 Truck (******-Overland Model MB and Ford
Model GPW)", not General Purpose. It _does_ say:

2. DESCRIPTION.
a. Type. This vehicle is a general purpose, personnel, or cargo
carrier especially adaptable for reconnaisance or command, and is
designated as 1/4-ton 4x4 Truck. [...]

I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
trawling with his sig.



On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Jeff Strickland wrote:

> I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo,
> the Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>
> "griffin" <gryffy@DELTHISshaw.ca> wrote in message
> news:fHVCd.700535$Pl.536328@pd7tw1no...
>> After reading Twaldron's post in the horsepower thread, I saw in his sig
>> something about Jeep standing for "G.P." I did a project on this about 6
>> years ago for a school assignment and found this to be a false etymology.
>> Just to refresh my memory I did a search on the origin and found the most
>> comprehensive site I've ever seen on the word "Jeep". It was a very
>> interesting read and definitely one for Bill's link-list.
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/jeeptoys/history.htm
>>
>> That guy really did his homework! Those other two "Jeeps" (Bantam and
>> Ford) look pretty cool. I wonder if anyone (Bill?) has any pics or info
>> of anyone owning one of these and using it on the trail. I'm too lazy
>> to search for it myself, but maybe someone else can dig something up.
>>
>> Cheers.
>>
>>
>
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

twaldron

Lee Ayrton wrote:
(sNIP'd some good info)
> I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
> trawling with his sig.


Which part? ;)
--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

71 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

twaldron

Lee Ayrton wrote:
(sNIP'd some good info)
> I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
> trawling with his sig.


Which part? ;)
--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

71 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

twaldron

Lee Ayrton wrote:
(sNIP'd some good info)
> I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
> trawling with his sig.


Which part? ;)
--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

71 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

Wblane

But the US army has been around a lot longer than you Bill. That website made
it pretty clear the jeep name was used for army vehicles before you were even
born, much less in the army.

>I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo, the
>Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>


-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

Wblane

But the US army has been around a lot longer than you Bill. That website made
it pretty clear the jeep name was used for army vehicles before you were even
born, much less in the army.

>I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo, the
>Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>


-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

Wblane

But the US army has been around a lot longer than you Bill. That website made
it pretty clear the jeep name was used for army vehicles before you were even
born, much less in the army.

>I don't know any of that, but GP means general purpose. In Army lingo, the
>Jeep was called, Vehicle, General Purpose, or GP, pronounced jeep.
>


-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

Lee Ayrton

On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, twaldron wrote:

> Lee Ayrton wrote:
> (sNIP'd some good info)

>> I always figured that Twaldron was simply engaging in some playful
>> trawling with his sig.
>
>
> Which part? ;)
[snip]


Ummm... The OBVIOUS part? |-)




--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.