Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 16:39:38 -0500

From: Jesse T Sheidlower jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]PANIX.COM

Subject: Re: -head





I believe a gearhead is a person who's into fixing engines, cars, hot

rodding, etc. One doesn't hear it much anymore.



The _Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang_ defines

_gearhead_ as "a student majoring in engineering or a related

subject; (also) an engineer or person skilled in mechanics," and

supplies citations from 1974, 1974, 1987, 1990, 1991, and 1992.



"Chiphead," alluded to by another poster, is first on record

in 1982 in HDAS.



Jesse Sheidlower

jester[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]panix.com