(I was so upset when I read his (second hand – no transcript exists)comments that I had to take to my chaise-lounge and request a bottle of smelling salts. How dare someone suggest a theory at an academic conference that I might disagree with or find offensive? All academic enquiry should be carefully screened for suitability, lest a gentlewoman such as myself be disturbed!)

Also: think of all the songs from the muscle car era that talked about the voiture as a “she”:

She’s my little deuce coupe You don’t know what I got

Even boats are traditionally given female names.

So, let me make a sweeping generalization a la Harvard dude: men are genetically predisposed to being obsessed with women and vehicles.

-D

though nowhere near as heroic as lt.prakash’s steed, my first car died honourably in a collision that (according to the California Highway Patrol who pulled me from the wreckage) should have taken me with it. weeks later, when i found out that they were ripping it apart for…parts, i was bereft. being fond of inanimate objects (which IMO is one reason why we name them) isn’t a gendered behaviour. silly harvard presidentses.

nice contrasting, mv.