dashboard etymology

Etymology

The word "dashboard" is a combination of two words:

• Dash: A strong or violent collision or impact
• Board: A flat, wooden surface

Meaning and Origin

The term "dashboard" originated in the late 1800s when horse-drawn carriages and automobiles were first being developed. The initial purpose of the dashboard was to protect the occupants of the vehicle from flying debris and dust kicked up by the horses' hooves or the wheels of the vehicle.

As automobiles became more prevalent, dashboards evolved to serve additional functions:

• Protecting passengers: Dashboards continued to offer protection from road hazards and objects that might penetrate the windshield.
• Mounting instruments: Gauges, dials, and controls necessary for operating the vehicle were installed on the dashboard, making them easily accessible to the driver.
• Providing storage: Glove compartments, cubbies, and trays were incorporated into dashboards to store items such as maps, tools, and personal belongings.
• Aesthetic appeal: In addition to their functional roles, dashboards began to play an aesthetic role, adding to the overall design and style of the vehicle.

Over time, dashboards have become increasingly sophisticated, incorporating advanced technologies such as touch screens, digital displays, and multimedia systems. However, the fundamental purpose of protecting passengers, displaying information, and providing storage remains the same.

dashboard relate terms

• board

  Etymology Board comes from the Old English word bord which ultimately derives from t

• plank

  Etymology The word plank derives from the Middle English word planke which in turn

• board

  Etymology Board comes from the Old English word bord which ultimately derives from t

• boarder

  Etymology and Meaning of Border The word border has its origins in the Old French wor

• boarding

  Etymology Middle English borden from Old English bord closely related to Old French b

• dash

  Etymology The word dash comes from the Old French word dascher which means to strik

• dashing

  Etymology The word dashing comes from the Middle English word daschen meaning to str

• splash

  Etymology The word splash comes from the Middle English word plaischen which is of o

• dashboard

  Etymology The word dashboard is a combination of two words Dash A strong or violent

• panel

  Etymology of Panel The word panel originates from the Middle French panel which in

• penal

  Etymology Penal derives from the Latin word poena meaning punishment or penalty

• plane

  Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

• vehicle

  Etymology Vehicle is derived from the Latin word vehiculum which means that which c

• protection

  Etymology The word protection comes from the Old French word protection which in tur

• carcass

  Etymology The word carcass comes from the Old French word carcasse which is derived

• soda

  Etymology The word soda originates from the Arabic term suwwad or sawda which mea

• tacit

  Etymology From Latin tacitus meaning silent unspoken implied Meaning Tacit re

• conference

  Etymology of Conference The word conference is derived from the Latin word conferre