Why do people call Electricity a “Fuel” ?

Sosumi

Why do people call Electricity a “Fuel” ?

As in “Dual-Fuel”, for example.

Gas is a fuel, and so is oil. But electricity isn’t a fuel: it’s energy.

Is it just because “dual-fuel” rhymes and has a catchy ring to it?

MeterMan

Google is pretty handy at these things.

fuel
fjʊəl/Submit
noun
noun: fuel; plural noun: fuels
1.
material such as coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power.
"one aircraft ran out of fuel and had to ditch"
synonyms: power source, combustible, propellant; More
short for nuclear fuel.
food, drink, or drugs as a source of energy.
"any protein intake can also be used as fuel"
synonyms: nourishment, sustenance, nutriment, nutrition, food, fodder
"we all need fuel to keep our bodies going"
a thing that sustains or inflames passion, argument, or other intense emotion.
"the remuneration packages will add fuel to the debate about top-level rewards"
synonyms: encouragement, incentive, ammunition, incitement, stimulus; More
verb
verb: fuel; 3rd person present: fuels; past tense: fuelled; past participle: fuelled; gerund or present participle: fuelling; past tense: fueled; past participle: fueled; gerund or present participle: fueling
1.
supply or power (an industrial plant, vehicle, or machine) with fuel.
"power stations fuelled by low-grade coal"
synonyms: power, charge, fire, stoke up, supply with fuel
"power stations fuelled by low-grade coal"
2.
cause (a fire) to burn more intensely.
"petrol may have been used to fuel the fire"
sustain or inflame (an intense feeling).
"his resignation fuelled speculation of an imminent cabinet reshuffle"
synonyms: stimulate, boost, encourage, intensify, fortify, support, nurture; More
antonyms: dampen
Origin

Middle English: from Old French fouaille, based on Latin focus ‘hearth’ (in late Latin ‘fire’).

I dont really agree that its called that due to it rhyming.

GwylimT

Gas is also an energy type.

[Deleted User]

It trips off the tongue a bit more readily than energy vector.

GingerBob_3

Sosumi wrote: »

Why do people call Electricity a “Fuel” ?

As in “Dual-Fuel”, for example.

Gas is a fuel, and so is oil. But electricity isn’t a fuel: it’s energy.

Is it just because “dual-fuel” rhymes and has a catchy ring to it?

Good point, and correct. Leccy is not a fuel.


In a similar vein why do HMRC refer to tax payers as "customers"? Now that is an insult to the intelligence.

Pincher

Electricity is a con.

We should use DC electricity from batteries.

You can charge them up from solar panels, or make it yourself with gym equipment fitted with dynamos or generators.

If you want to watch TV, you need to exercise a bit.

National obesity crisis solved. A knighthood please.

Eric_Disley

Sosumi wrote: »

Why do people call Electricity a “Fuel” ?

As in “Dual-Fuel”, for example.

Gas is a fuel, and so is oil. But electricity isn’t a fuel: it’s energy.

Is it just because “dual-fuel” rhymes and has a catchy ring to it?