Offside off-topic

[Bazzalucas]

Hi, there, a Yank with a question about the common language which separates us: what is the origin of "nearside" and "offside" in describing which side of a car is under discussion, and which is which? Thanks.

[ASL642]

"nearside" (in the UK) refers to the side of the car nearest the curb (our passenger side) "offside" is the our driver's side

[Bazzalucas]

Thanks for that!

[lambrettalad]

in a right hand drive car(RHD) in the uk ,nearside is the passenger side of the car,thus offside is the drivers side.As we drive on the left (just to confuse matters ) Do you use these expressions in the states?
Left hand drive cars (LHD) are sometimes called left hookers

[Bazzalucas]

Well, over here, calling anything a "hooker" can get you some disapproving looks...we generally refer to driver's side and passenger side, since it can be safely assumed that any car to which one is referring will be a "left hooker".

[MarkyB]

Well, over here, calling anything a "hooker" can get you some disapproving looks

In church or the Womans Institute presumably, common parlance in the motor trade around here.

[les]

Nearside being nearest to the pavement (sidewalk?)
LH drive car or RH drive car,the nearside is the side of the car nearest the pavement, whatever side of the road you drive on.
( nearside---near to the side)

[Dean]

So where is the backside?

[lambrettalad]

where some need a boot

[les]

So where is the backside?

Same place world wide!

[IaininTenbury]

Remembering back to student days, it was stressed to only use 'left' and 'right' as an engineering convention, from the viewpoint of being sat in the car facing the direction of travel. Theory being that it was understandable world wide and didn't matter which side the steering wheel was on...
Of course you always get someone stood in front of the car lookign at it and refering to the left or right, but the sytsem works if you knew the rules!