Why are fairings called fairings?

**Big Dave** · 4th August 2009, 23:11

Because 'Algenon' was taken. No. Any facts or Hypotheses?

**p.dath** · 4th August 2009, 23:15

I'll put my money on some guy called "fairings" inventing them.

**p.dath** · 4th August 2009, 23:18

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fairing

Origin: 1910–15; fair 1 + -ing 1

**DarkLord** · 4th August 2009, 23:18

Cos it's not "fair" how much we have to pay for the blasted things if we break them.

**AllanB** · 4th August 2009, 23:21

It's a speech thing.

When first used by a motorcyclist (his name is long lost) his mates called him a "fairy" - you know how it is Dave -"ah ya big fairy what de ya need a wee fairy screen for?" (as in HTFU).

After the race and at the pub a few too many beers were downed and speech became slurred thus "fairy" being bastardised into "fairing" and forever said as such.

**Motu** · 4th August 2009, 23:22

From the boating crowd I think - and before there were wind tunnels,they tested aerodynamics in water tanks.

**Staticam** · 4th August 2009, 23:27

aviation and maths ... something new learned today
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Fairing.html

**AllanB** · 4th August 2009, 23:27

Or aircraft
From Wiki

A fairing is a structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and reduce drag.[1]

These structures are generally light-weight shapes and covers for gaps and spaces between parts of an aircraft to reduce form drag and interference drag, and to improve appearance.[citation needed]

However I am unsure of this as it may be perverted as the aircraft section also talks about 'flaps' a lot!!!!!

**Staticam** · 4th August 2009, 23:34

After reading motorcycleinfo a bit further... the bit at the back of the bike must be singularity or I guess on some machines, multiplearities.
...so you can hear them better.

**NDORFN** · 4th August 2009, 23:36

I like the way you ignore the fact of Google for the sake of a good theorizing thread Big Dave. Personally, I think they should be called clothes.

**Staticam** · 4th August 2009, 23:51

Originally Posted by NDORFN

I think they should be called clothes.

I like that. Rain for washing. Riding plus sun equals wind for drying: unless its still raining. In which case you can use the tumble dryer.

Also like

Originally Posted by AllanB

ah ya big fairy what de ya need a wee fairy screen for?

**Toot Toot** · 5th August 2009, 02:09

Originally Posted by Staticam

aviation and maths ... something new learned today
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Fairing.html

Interesting reading. thanks for that.

**YellowDog** · 5th August 2009, 05:55

Fairings = Costs more than the entire bike to replace.

**Hitcher** · 5th August 2009, 09:18

It's a derivation of the ship building term "fair" which means to make smooth and even.

More worrying is that it is on the KB list of most misspelled words: it's right up there with baffles and Manfeild.