Head-up display or heads-up display?

"thefinalmonster" (thefinalmonster) 09/26/2016 at 20:42 • Filed to: hud, heads-up, head-up, lexus

1

8

Hi Oppo! Can you help me set the record straight?

The official name for this device is “head-up display” (singular), not “heads-up display” (plural, incorrect). As in: keep your head up, and not down looking at the gauges. You only have one head.

Heads-up implies it can give you tips about future events which is not what it’s supposed to do.

I find it annoying when car companies use the wrong term in their official materials.

Opinions?

CB > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 20:46

1

If they’re selling it, they can call it whatever they want. Most of the buyers don’t care, I’m assuming.

TheHondaBro > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 20:47

2

I’m a buyer and I don’t care.

InFierority Complex > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 20:47

2

Neither, it is simply pronounced, “hud.” 90s space sims haven’t let me down yet.

yamahog > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 20:48

6

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, they’re interchangeable.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 20:59

2

Drivers can keep their heads up with their heads-up display.

I’ve never heard it called a head up display anyway.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > yamahog 09/26/2016 at 21:22

2

and to drill deeper, “Heads-up” as an adjective is to show alertness or perceptiveness.

bhtooefr > thefinalmonster 09/26/2016 at 21:33

0

Looking at historical usage, it looks like “heads-up display” came into use sometime around 1963, with “head-up display” dating back to 1960 or earlier.

The plural’s wrong, I’d say.

CaptDale - is secretly British > thefinalmonster 09/27/2016 at 18:42

0

Google says “heads- up”

Dictionary say “heads-up”

Which is probably due to the game “heads-up seven up”

The term “head-up” is a sailing term for steering into the wind. That is used to slow down or reef in sails without them being loaded.

So technically it is “heads-up”