Why is it called the "dashboard"

[John Brandt]

The Car Talk guys on NPR posed this question the other day and I was surprised that I didn't have the foggiest idea why. Could sombody enlighten me?

[Robert Coats]

Ah, Grasshopper...the knowledge you seek is like the bee seeking the delicate lotus flower...you must have use your inner thoughts to will the answer to be found...

...or just use yahoo and search for "dashboard + trivia"

Click Here For The Dashboard Answer Revealed

[billwagnon]

If you don't wear your seatbelt, it's where you dash your brains out.

[island911]

dash1 (dash) v. dashed, dash·ing, dash·es. --tr. 1. To break or smash by striking violently. 2. To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence. 3. To splash; bespatter.

EDIT: I suppose some Yahoo may have a different understanding

[John Brandt]

Thanks,

.....now if I could just catch one of those pesky houseflies with these chopsticks.

[Ray B]

I had always heard that this phrase originates from the "horse & buggy" days when this board was mounted on the carriage in order to prevent the horses from "dashing" mud, etc. onto the carriage occupants. BTW, you didn't really expect to learn anything from NPR did you?? Cheers. Ray