Andrew,

Did you ask this question:
Date:    Thu, 1 Aug 2002 22:27:55 +1200
From:    Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject: Re: (OT,
         but important) The Ford Excursion is DEAD!!!! YEEEEEEEAAAAAHHH!!
         YES YES YES YES!!! W00000H000000!

>die. evil SUVs. every last one of you. DIE DIE DIE.

How did the Americans ever coin a name like sport utility for a type
of vehicle which in most cases is the antithesis of sporty?

I remember when I was in Australia.....the Ozzies (not the Osbournes!) used
to call the trucks UTES as in Utility Vehicle

The roadwork men down under also used to wear these orange socks and these
little shorts "stubbies"....men here in the US wouldn't be caught dead
wearing such a  short short......and we also don't wear those speedo shorts
either, unless we're in high school swim or water polo team......those Euros
love those banana slings.........not too impressive of a look, especially
when coming out of cold water......."shrinkage".........whoh! am I off on a
tangent...........anyway I first heard ute back in the mid 80's in Oz.

Malibu Tony 85' Westy 3.3L SVX motor and a surfer who wears his shorts
long........not hiding anything or anything