Every once in a while you come across the term “saloon” as it relates to cars, and you wonder why people are using a term from the Old West to describe a car. When you dive into the etymology, it actually makes pretty logical sense.
📜 Origin of “Saloon”:
The word “saloon” originally comes from the French word salon, meaning a large room or hall for receiving guests.
It entered English in the 18th century as “saloon,” meaning a spacious, comfortable room — often in a public or luxurious setting, like a railway carriage, ship, or hotel.
🚗 How it Came to Describe a Car:
In the early 20th century, when cars started to become more refined and comfortable, the term “saloon” was borrowed to describe an enclosed car body style that was roomy and comfortable — like a mobile drawing room.
So a “saloon car” became a term used (mainly in British English) to refer to a car with an enclosed cabin for passengers, offering more comfort and privacy compared to open cars or earlier designs.
🇺🇸 vs 🇬🇧 Terminology:
British English: Saloon car
American English: Sedan (from a different etymology — referring to a type of enclosed chair carried by porters)
So in essence, “saloon” reflects the idea of comfort, space, and enclosure — much like a fancy room you’d relax in. Makes sense when you think of it that way, right?
