Not to point a finger at anyone in particular, but...

Until I came to this forum a few months ago, I'd never heard anyone in my life refer to a Mercedes as a "Merc"--and I've been around the cars all my life via family and friends. It seems several here refer to Mercedes as "Merc."

However, I've always heard the Mercury brand contracted to "Merc," but never Mercedes. Hearing Mercedes refered to like this sounds tacky to me, given my association with "Merc."

Anyone else?

Back in my hood, Benz and Merc were often the lingo used for Mercedes Benz cars, while Bimmer (of course) was for BMW's. And, I'm not young.

If you're referring to written text on a Mercedes enthusiast forum then I don't think there would be any confusion of what Merc, Benz, Benzo or MB stands for.

SR, I am of course referring to text written on an enthusiast forum (this one), but I never suggested that there was any confusion--only that in my nearly 40 years (don't know if that is as old as Baby Jocko ) I'd never "heard" (read: seen written) "Mercedes" referred to as "Merc"--only for Mercury. I'm simply curious what others' histories are with the contraction.

Merc is commonly used to refer to Mercedes Benz in the UK.

A Mercury is a "Merc" if James Dean drove it in a movie. In all other circumstances, a "Merc" is a Mercedes. Nobody knows or cares about the moribund Mercury brand any more, not even Ford.

Mercury?? Do they make cars, I thought they just did outboard boat engines? :p

People who call Mercedes a Merc are also people who would call a BMW a Beemer or a Porsche a Porsch.

I've owned German cars since the 50's and Mercedes for more than 20 years and I've never talked to a Mercedes owner who called their car a Merc.

Amen brother....

Another Amen, brother.

I take it you will not want to talk to me then?

Well, it depends on what you call Porsches I'm sure you know that a Beemer is a motorcycle.

A Porsche is a Porsche. However, until I read the thread here a few months ago I was not aware of the distinction between Bimmer and Beemer, but again I think that is a US thing. In the UK a Beemer refers to a BMW automobile.

Anyway I'm just packing my bags to visit the US again. Maybe I'll retun with a greater understanding fn these things!!

Oh what sheltered lives we lead......

Look beyond your own horizons, there is truly civilised life out there. As Fastbuck has already stated Mercedes-Benz has been known for more years than I can remember as Mercedes, Merc, Benz or Mercedes-Benz. Yes, even in the motor trade, but perhaps not in all countries.

It is certainly not a derogatory remark, just a shortened version of a long name.


Regards
From a very windy with sunny spells afternoon in Torquay
John

When I first got my car my father said, so how's your Merc.. In my head I thought about Mercury (in particular "Mercury '49" because of the song).

Anyways.. I had no idea either, people who know the car also call it a Merc and I like the short form now..

My car is a Merc and sometimes, it is a Mercedes..

How about the more recently popularized 'Benzo' ? I saw a blinged-out C-something-or-other with a chrome plate that read 'BENZO' on the front... ugh!

glojo took the words (sentiments, at least) right out of my keyboard - we don't even have "Mercury" here in Singapore so, yes, a Merc is a Mercedes. Last I checked, Mercury was the stuff that went into sphygmomanometers ... kidding

I wonder if the difference is in the pronunciation?

A Mercury is referred to as a "Merk".

How are you pronouncing Merc? There is is no "k" sound in Mercedes so are you adding one or is it pronounced with a "ce" or "s" sound?

If that were the case they would not be similar in sound.

In the US...

Merc=Mercury
Benz=Mercedes

Never herd Merc used as a shotcut for a Benz. Thought it was a "foreign slang" thing :p

In England we pronounce it with the 'k'.... Merk

Fastbuck comes from over the border, (or behind the wall )

so it will be with a nice Scots (Scottish) accent.

Could you tell me what the 'Ed' bit mean on your signature please.

Regards,
John
From a windy Torquay

Having lived on both the West and East coasts, I've noticed that here in the East, most people call a Porsche a Porsch whereas most people in the West call it a Porsche. A few years ago, I spent a lot of time in Germany and the owner of the hotel I usually stayed in always called his MB a Benz. I don't know if that was just him or if most Germans use Benz. To me, a Merc is a Mercury and, yes, Hertz gave me a Mercury Sable sometime in the last year or two so I think that they still make them.

Apparently, you guys who have never heard Mercedes referred to as Merc have been living sheltered lives. "Merc" is a bit more slang than "Benz" or "Bimmer" or "Caddy." It's more on par with "Deuce and a Quarter." If you don't know what that is then that would explain your unfamiliarity with "Merc."

If you grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, I doubt you would have exposed yourself to such slang. OTOH, it would have been hard to avoid it while growing up in Brooklyn.

Funny... it's both ways here in Singapore ... we accept both the harsh "kay" (k) sound, as well as the soft "cee" (ç) sound, although the latter is much more common... everyone goes around calling their Benzes "Merces" :p

The same thing that "John" means in yours. :p

Thanks,
PLEASE do not think I was being facetious (I do hope I've spelt that one right). I thought it might mean that you are perhaps an 'editor' of this forum.

Hence my genuine interest.

Regards,
John
Windy Torquay