We ain't junk yards!

Dear Car Talk | May 01, 1992
Dear Tom and Ray:
Walter
20 Year Salvage Yard Owner
TOM: Gee, Walter, I don't know if we're going to be able to help you, here. The term "junk yard" is very deeply ingrained in the American psyche. I mean, if we made the changes you suggest, what would we call a junk yard dog? An auto-recycling center ca??nine?
RAY: Junk yards DO serve a very useful purpose. And in fact, the term has very positive connotations for us. My brother is particularly fond of junk yards, because that's where nine of his last ten cars have come from. The tenth would have been at a junk yard, but the guy who owned it couldn't get it started.
TOM: Seriously Walt, we are great supporters of what you do. Many auto parts should be reused. It saves people money, and cuts down on our waste disposal problem. But I'm afraid you're just going to have to live with the term junk yard.
RAY: Try to think of it as a term of endearment...kind of like when I lovingly call my brother "fat head."
TOM: Hey!
Walter
20 Year Salvage Yard Owner
TOM: Gee, Walter, I don't know if we're going to be able to help you, here. The term "junk yard" is very deeply ingrained in the American psyche. I mean, if we made the changes you suggest, what would we call a junk yard dog? An auto-recycling center ca??nine?
RAY: Junk yards DO serve a very useful purpose. And in fact, the term has very positive connotations for us. My brother is particularly fond of junk yards, because that's where nine of his last ten cars have come from. The tenth would have been at a junk yard, but the guy who owned it couldn't get it started.
TOM: Seriously Walt, we are great supporters of what you do. Many auto parts should be reused. It saves people money, and cuts down on our waste disposal problem. But I'm afraid you're just going to have to live with the term junk yard.
RAY: Try to think of it as a term of endearment...kind of like when I lovingly call my brother "fat head."
TOM: Hey!
Got a question about your car?