Penny-farthing - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

old-fashioned bicycle

A penny-farthing is an old-fashioned type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. It was popular in the 19th century.

Synonyms

high wheel bicycle, ordinary bicycle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
penny-farthing	This term is used to describe an old-fashioned bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel, popular in the late 19th century. It often has a nostalgic or historical connotation. The museum had a penny-farthing on display to show visitors what bicycles looked like in the past. He rode a penny-farthing in the vintage bicycle parade.
high wheel bicycle	This term is interchangeable with 'penny-farthing' and is also used to describe an old-fashioned bicycle with a large front wheel. It is typically used in historical contexts or when discussing the evolution of bicycles. High wheel bicycles were some of the first bicycles ever made. She learned about high wheel bicycles during her history lesson on the Industrial Revolution.
ordinary bicycle	While technically referring to the same type of bicycle as a 'penny-farthing,' this term can be misleading because it may also be interpreted as any common bicycle. When used to refer to a penny-farthing, it is mostly seen in historical texts. In modern usage, 'ordinary bicycle' usually means a regular, everyday bicycle. In Victorian times, the 'ordinary bicycle' was a common sight on the streets. He asked if he could borrow her ordinary bicycle to run some errands.

Word

Description / Examples

penny-farthing

This term is used to describe an old-fashioned bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel, popular in the late 19th century. It often has a nostalgic or historical connotation.

The museum had a penny-farthing on display to show visitors what bicycles looked like in the past.
He rode a penny-farthing in the vintage bicycle parade.

high wheel bicycle

This term is interchangeable with 'penny-farthing' and is also used to describe an old-fashioned bicycle with a large front wheel. It is typically used in historical contexts or when discussing the evolution of bicycles.

High wheel bicycles were some of the first bicycles ever made.
She learned about high wheel bicycles during her history lesson on the Industrial Revolution.

ordinary bicycle

While technically referring to the same type of bicycle as a 'penny-farthing,' this term can be misleading because it may also be interpreted as any common bicycle. When used to refer to a penny-farthing, it is mostly seen in historical texts. In modern usage, 'ordinary bicycle' usually means a regular, everyday bicycle.

In Victorian times, the 'ordinary bicycle' was a common sight on the streets.
He asked if he could borrow her ordinary bicycle to run some errands.

Examples of usage

The penny-farthing was a common sight on the streets of London in the 1870s.
He rode a penny-farthing to the park for a leisurely afternoon ride.
The design of the penny-farthing made it challenging to mount and dismount.
The penny-farthing was eventually replaced by bicycles with equal-sized wheels.
Many enthusiasts still enjoy riding and collecting penny-farthings.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The penny-farthing was invented in the 1870s and quickly became the first type of bicycle to gain popularity.
Its design allowed riders to cover greater distances faster due to the large front wheel's size.
The name comes from British coins: the penny was larger than the farthing, representing the wheel sizes.

Cultural Impact

These bicycles became a symbol of Victorian era leisure and transportation, often depicted in art and literature of the time.
In the late 1800s, riding a penny-farthing was seen as a fashionable pursuit for the upper class.
They made appearances in films and cartoons, solidifying their status as quirky symbols of the past.

Engineering and Design

The large front wheel was designed to increase speed but also posed safety risks, often leading to difficult falls known as 'header' accidents.
To mount a penny-farthing, riders had to climb onto a step and swing a leg over the tall front wheel.
The design influenced future bicycles, leading to advancements in safety and ride comfort.

Modern Resurgence

In recent years, penny-farthings have made a comeback in nostalgia and vintage cycling events.
They are often used in parades, film productions, and as decorative items due to their unique look.
Various cycling clubs now celebrate the history of this bicycle and host rides featuring these old models.

Safety and Challenges

Riders faced great difficulty in stopping due to the lack of brakes, relying instead on the rider's ability to stay balanced.
Learning to ride one required practice, often causing accidents for beginners as they adapted to the unique dynamics.
The penny-farthing challenged the notion of safety in cycling, leading to innovations in bike design that prioritize rider security today.

Origin of 'penny-farthing'

The penny-farthing, also known as a high wheel bicycle, was a popular mode of transportation in the late 19th century. It was named after the British coins, the penny and the farthing, because of the size difference between the two wheels. The large front wheel provided more speed, but also posed safety risks due to its height. The penny-farthing gradually fell out of favor as safer and more practical bicycle designs emerged. Today, the penny-farthing is primarily used for historical reenactments and as a nostalgic symbol of the past.

Penny-farthing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations