We know about the existence of Boeing planes like the 737, 747, and other planes. But where did the name "Boeing" come from?
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asked Mar 11, 2020 at 0:31
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93$\begingroup$ It's the noise the plane makes when it bounces, obviously ;) $\endgroup$– BaldrickkMar 11, 2020 at 9:40
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43$\begingroup$ @Baldrickk bounces? What an untechnical term. You mean, when it elastically lithobrakes. $\endgroup$– leftaroundaboutMar 11, 2020 at 15:12
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18$\begingroup$ In light of recent events I submit: Because Obviously Everyone Is Not Going $\endgroup$– Dan Is Fiddling By FirelightMar 11, 2020 at 20:57
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2$\begingroup$ It used to be an everyday slang term in Boston and San Francisco. It means "We need better streetcars". $\endgroup$– Harper - Reinstate MonicaMar 12, 2020 at 8:01
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2$\begingroup$ Its the noise the stock price of BA makes. $\endgroup$– copper.hatMar 12, 2020 at 19:20
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1 Answer
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It's named for one of its founders William E. Boeing which is the American spelling of his father's German surname "Böing".
To answer the question directly: it does not mean anything in particular.
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7$\begingroup$ I think the "Westervelt 747" has a much nicer ring to it... Or, "Watch out for that Westervelt B-52 coming to bomb you back into the stone age!" $\endgroup$– John KMar 11, 2020 at 1:10
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24$\begingroup$ Funfact: in German, the word "Bö" or "Windbö" means gust or squall. It's a bit of nomen est omen but that is by pure chance. $\endgroup$– PerlDuckMar 11, 2020 at 6:26
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5$\begingroup$ According to this German newspaper article, it means "son of Boie". The origins of Boie are unknown :) $\endgroup$– smcsMar 11, 2020 at 15:58
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5$\begingroup$ @WooShell That is already the case though, since "oe" replaces "ö" in German but is pronounced the same. $\endgroup$– smcsMar 12, 2020 at 14:34
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6$\begingroup$ @EricTowers in addition, it's also the official modern German spelling in contexts where the
öcharacter is unavailable. $\endgroup$– phoogMar 12, 2020 at 16:22