origin of 'fire engine'

[Tan Elaine]

Could someone tell me how 'fire engine' came about when 'engine' means "a machine with moving parts that uses a fuel to produce movement, for example in a road vehicle or airplane"?

I believe in AmE, the term is "fire truck", which makes more sense to me.

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

Could someone tell me how 'fire engine' came about when 'engine' means "a machine with moving parts that uses a fuel to produce movement, for example in a road vehicle or airplane"?

I believe in AmE, the term is "fire truck", which makes more sense to me.

Thanks.

An "engine" is not necessarily motorised it can be anything mechanical. Have a look at the links below:
Résultats Google Recherche d'images correspondant à http://fire-engine-photos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/12539.jpg
Résultats Google Recherche d'images correspondant à http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/wooden_war_engine_kits.jpg

 

[BobK]

:up: When fire appliances looked like http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/9/52/42259/v0_master.jpg, I imagine they weren't called engines. But when this sort of thing came along - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Old_fire_engine_and_dalmatian.jpg - 'engine' was the word used. (The dog is coincidental!)

b

 

[riquecohen]

I believe in AmE, the term is "fire truck", which makes more sense to me.

The AmE term is "fire engine."