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Pree-us or Pry-us?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by newts, Feb 2, 2004.

  1. newts

    newts New Member

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    1. I've heard owners pronounce it differently. Is there an official, accepted or otherwise correct way to say it?

    2. If it isn't Latin, what does it mean?

    3. Anyone else think the name is too close to Priapus?


    jv
     
    #1 newts, Feb 2, 2004
  2. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    The dealer says Pree-us, so I changed to that.

    Counter-intuitive, but then I never studied Latin...
     
    #2 mikepaul, Feb 2, 2004
  3. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    To Go Before - hence, you'll see some people on here with license plates like ToGoB4 or 2GoB4, etc.
     
    #3 Danny, Feb 2, 2004
  4. jeffrey

    jeffrey New Member

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    Gatta laugh at Priapus :)

    PREE-us is correct, and I believe it means "To go before" but I got that from Toyota propaganda. I do not remember that much of my HS latin :(

    Peace :)
     
    #4 jeffrey, Feb 2, 2004
  5. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    about what "prius" means

    Howdy: The word, "Prius" is in the form of a masculine noun, not a verb. In this form it can't mean "to go before", but, more likely, "the one who goes before". If it were a verb, it would be something like "preire" or "priare", although I don't have a Latin dictionary handy. The Japanese do a fine job of contorting English, so perhaps they have turned their skills in this area to Latin. I really like the name, whatever it means.
    In any case, it sure beats the machismo idiocy of "Charger", "Avenger", "Cobra", or the insipid "Explorer", "Navigator", etc. Original car, orignal name. Now, if you please, would you be so kind as to deliver my Prius? It's so hard to "go before" when everyone else has already gone.
    B
     
    #5 Bob Allen, Feb 3, 2004
  6. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    Looked it up in a couple of those online latin-english dictionaries.

    "Prius" = before, formerly, prior

    "Praeeo" (also "praeire") = to go before
     
    #6 tag, Feb 3, 2004
  7. satchm0

    satchm0 New Member

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    ...or, to boldly go where no one has gone before. So, then, the Star Trek Enterprise was actually a Prius! :mrgreen:
     
    #7 satchm0, Feb 4, 2004
    Chuck. likes this.
  8. newts

    newts New Member

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    It does have hybrid warp/impulse engines...
     
    #8 newts, Feb 4, 2004
    Chuck. likes this.
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