"BIKE" OR " WHEEL " ?
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOB."]
Sin,—My old friend Mr. Housden is always interesting on "word" subjects, but I am afraid "wheel-saddle" will not do. Why not "saddle-wheel," following the analogy of saddle-horse"? But Jam afraid that will not do either,— too big a mouthful. " Bike " is a hideous word, but it has got a start, and that is everything with the vulgar herd. It is short, and stands not only for the machine, but for the act of riding. The verb "to bike," in fact, is quite current already. We shall have " bike-ist" by-and-by, so that the same word will do for the machine, the ride, and the rider ! " Wheel- saddler " would hardly do, although " wheelman " or " wheeler " would pass muster. Then from that to the verb "to wheel" would be an easy transition.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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