ferroequinology

English

Etymology

Latin ferrum (“iron”) + Latin equus (“horse”) + English -logy; from iron horse

Noun

ferroequinology (uncountable)

1. (humorous, nonstandard) The study of railways in general, but especially locomotives.
   • 1993 December 5, J. Alan Septimus, “Re: altitudes (was Re: Engines (Re: Amtrak derails in Boise ...))”, in rec.railroad (Usenet):

     Anyone interested in Colorado ferroequinology, get yourself a copy of the DeLorme atlas. This shows the alignments of lots of old railroad grades

   • 1995 January 30, Glenn Laubaugh, “BRASS KEY”, rec.railroad, pdx.general, and or.general, Usenet

     The BRASS KEY...is the unofficial, unauthorized internet newspaper of ferroequinology (Latin: Study of Iron Horses) in the Pacific Northwest.

   • 1995 July 6, Paul Marsh, as quoted by Craig Symington, “Nebraska, Mosquitos, trains and girlfriends....”, in bit.listserv.railroad (Usenet):

     It has been well-established by the ferroequinology cognoscenti that train whistles cause a serious distubance among mosquitos, making them far less willing to strike their victims.

Derived terms

• ferroequinologist

References

• Defined in The Aldrich Dictionary of Phobias and Other Word Families (2002)