So I was watching The Grand Tour, and like on Top Gear, Jeremy explained to the American's that it isn't a gear stick, it's a gear lever.

 

I was pondering this today whilst driving up the A19...I don't think I know anyone who calls it a lever.

 

So do you say stick, or lever? It's gear stick to me, always has been.

 

It may be a regional thing, or perhaps an age thing...

 

Saying that, Jeremy also told Jeff Goldblum on Top Gear, that we don't use the word geek in the UK, we say boffin. Now not sure about yourselves, but I've made it to 37 years of age without ever saying boffin, and have no plans to introduce it to my vocabulary.

 

Reading this back; I probably need to get out more...

I've always been more of a knob man.

I interpreted it as people that drive stick vs people that drive manual. maybe i should rewatch it. but anyway im a gear knob guy myself like Jay. I do like my knobs

This is interesting (in a sad sort of way, lol), but for me the knob is a separate entity on the end of the stick (or lever).

This is interesting (in a sad sort of way, lol), but for me the knob is a separate entity on the end of the stick (or lever).

 

I see where you're coming from, although the Z32 knob doesn't really give that impression.

I call it a gear lever - and it has a knob on the top.....:lol:

 

But I do remember, as a small child in the 1970s, people calling it a gear-stick here in the UK. Perhaps the Americans stole the phrase from us back then - after all, their Yank-Tanks of the 70's were pretty much all autos, so they might not have had their own terminology.....:wink:

I call it a gear lever - and it has a knob on the top.....:lol:

 

But I do remember, as a small child in the 1970s, people calling it a gear-stick here in the UK. Perhaps the Americans stole the phrase from us back then - after all, their Yank-Tanks of the 70's were pretty much all autos, so they might not have had their own terminology.....:wink:

 

They usually use the term "driving stick", but most autos also have a "stick", so that's a bit confusing?

Im throwing shifter into the discussion :innocent:

It depends what country I'm in. I can adjust very quickly and happily say 'Zee' when I'm stateside without even a thought. I use transmission and motor and then gearbox and engine when I'm here.

 

I've never used the word boffin, usually nerd or geek. I say both gear stick or gear lever, but I usually use shifter when I'm in the US. Same with windshield/windscreen, wing/fender, spoiler/wing, fascia/bumper. I can switch quite easily.

It's a gear stick to me.

Magic shifty thing.

Im throwing shifter into the discussion :innocent:

 

Good call Chris.......:wink:

My mates an American. Slush box or stick shift !!

 

Me ?? Gear stick or autobox.

 

Alan.......

Gear stick for me

My stepmother is american, but shes lived over here for 28 years and has british citizenship (Still cant make a decent cup of tea and doesnt understand fawtly towers...) and she says its a "Gear lever" and "drive stickshift". She grew up and lived first 30-odd years in Seattle, so could be a regional thing?

To me it's always been Auto or Manual.