>
> >>The origin of the term is unclear.
> >
> >I thought it was because the pistons' movements are reminiscent of the
> >fists of two boxers pounding each other. <?>
>
> I saw that idea in a magazine review... sounds contrived and farfetched,
> to say the least. The word comes from the German language, doesn't it?
> Probably bears no resemblence to the English definition...

...well, in this case, the meaning of "boxer" <english> = "boxer" <german>.
Being german, I've always kinda pictured four little MAX SCHMELING's battling
it out in there...
                    Gregor

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Gregor Durstewitz                      =============
Oregon Institute of Marine Biology    /_| |__||__| :|     toff
University of Oregon                 0|    Festus   |     toff
Charleston, OR 97420                  '-()-------()-'