HANGAR QUEEN Meaning and
Definition
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Hangar queen is a colloquial term used primarily in aviation to describe an aircraft that spends a prolonged period of time parked or stored in a hangar, often due to extensive maintenance, repair, or refurbishment issues. Derived from the term "hangar," which refers to a large enclosed structure designed for housing airplanes, and "queen," indicating something or someone of importance or prominence, a hangar queen implies an aircraft that commands considerable attention but remains non-operational or unfit for flying.
Typically, a hangar queen suffers from persistent mechanical problems or requires significant repairs that prevent it from being operational. The term is often used in a derogatory manner to describe an aircraft that consistently experiences frequent breakdowns or requires repetitive repairs, resulting in excessive time spent grounded. It implies that the aircraft is a source of frustration, inconvenience, and financial burden for its owner or operator.
The designation of a hangar queen can also extend beyond aircraft and be applied to other transportation or machinery contexts. It highlights the notion of a prominent object that is valued or considered important but remains consistently non-functioning or problematic due to various issues. The term underscores the discrepancy between the perceived high status or worth of the item and its actual usefulness or reliability.
Common Misspellings for HANGAR QUEEN
- gangar queen
- bangar queen
- nangar queen
- jangar queen
- uangar queen
- yangar queen
- hzngar queen
- hsngar queen
- hwngar queen
- hqngar queen
- habgar queen
- hamgar queen
- hajgar queen
- hahgar queen
- hanfar queen
- hanvar queen
- hanbar queen
- hanhar queen
- hanyar queen
Etymology of HANGAR QUEEN
The term "hangar queen" is a colloquial expression in aviation circles that refers to an aircraft that spends more time in the hangar undergoing repairs or maintenance than it does flying. The word "hangar" comes from the French word "hanghart", which means "shed" or "shelter". It entered the English language in the late 19th century.
The term "hangar queen" itself likely originated in the mid-20th century in military aviation. It is thought to have developed as a humorous or sarcastic way to describe an aircraft that constantly experiences mechanical issues or requires extensive maintenance, rendering it unable to perform its intended duties efficiently. The word "queen" implies special attention or high maintenance, emphasizing the frequent need for repairs and the aircraft's tendency to spend a significant amount of time in the hangar rather than in the air.
