Jeep
The word ‘jeep' has been in use very widely all over the world since the onset of World War II. Originally, jeep referred to standard and special vehicles made by the US Army during the war. As such, jeep has been known and recognized for its reliability and strength. Original jeeps were also very bulky, that was why it was very useful in carrying different types of loads and carrying maximum numbers of passengers.
Now, the term Jeep refers to an automobile trade name that is owned by DaimlerChrysler, which is a giant global car maker. Jeep was originally owned by Chrysler Corporation prior to a merger between the company and Daimler-Benz in 1998. It is notable that the modern Jeep cars are still sturdy and are made to be highly reliant, especially for roads that are harsh and extremely challenging.
There are many stories and myths about the origin of the word Jeep. It is notable to determine the original source of the term because Jeep has become a truly catchy and trustful car brand. One theory is that Jeep evolved from the phrase ‘General Purpose' or ‘GP'. Phonetically, GP can be slurred to sound like jeep.
Another explanation for the popularity of the brand name is the huge following in the past of the comic strip Popeye. Eugene the Jeep was one of the well-recognized and adored characters of the comic series. Eugene the Jeep could do wonders, like walking like a dog through ceilings and walls. According to researchers, Eugene the Jeep might have caught the fancy of many consumers and car fanatics that the term became a household word referring to a highly reliable transport.
During the two world wars, the term jeep was also made into a general term referring to military transportation. During that time, jeep could be a tractor, an airplane, or heavy equipment. Jeep became a military slang that could have spread to other people. Thus, the common use of the term.
Whatever the origin of the term, Jeep as a car brand is truly benefiting. Jeep is one of a kind. As a company-made car brand, the first official Jeep was made by American Bantam for the US Department of Army in the first half of the 20th century. Then, the US government authorized Wilys-Overland to manufacture the succeeding Jeeps for the military.
Wilys was a big factor in making the Jeep car brand a huge success. Through the years, the company eventually lost lustre, until it was acquired by Chrysler. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Jeep became so popular that many authorized and unauthorized car and vehicle makers made their own versions of jeeps. Much worse, some of these copycats even used the root word Jeep for their creations. In the Philippines, the popular jeepney passenger vehicles are believed to be a copycat descendant to Jeep. Jeepney, however, became unique in itself that it became a part of the Philippine transportation and pop culture.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 21/06/200
