The outer metal or wooden frame and panels of a vehicle like a car or truck, not including the engine or mechanical parts.
Compound word combining 'body' (from Old English 'bodig') and 'work' (from Old English 'weorc'). This modern term emerged in the early 20th century with the automotive industry to distinguish the structural frame from the engine and mechanical systems.
Before cars became common, 'bodywork' was a term used for horse carriages and wagons—so when the first automobiles were invented, manufacturers simply borrowed the term from the carriage industry, showing how language adapts to new technology!
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