scooter

DEFINITION

A mini motorcycle installed with a low seat and a floorboard.

ETYMOLOGY

• The term is the transliteration of the English word “scooter”.
• Mini motorcycles known as scooters are said to be manufactured in Italy after World War Two. Many roads in Italy were damaged after the war, which inconvenienced drivers and motorcyclists. As such, manufacturers produced scooters with smaller wheels, spacious seats and a low floorboard for people to manoeuvre the damaged roads easily.
• Scooters were gradually introduced into Singapore and Malaysia after they were launched in Italy.

SAMPLE SENTENCE

Scooters manufactured by the local company are already on the roads, these are also the only “made in Singapore” scooters. (Lianhe Zaobao, 29/9/2015)

TERMS USED IN OTHER REGIONS

踏板车, 踏板摩托车 (Mainland China) , 小型摩托车 (Hong Kong, Taiwan)