My great uncle (by marriage - we Pilgrim descendants welcome all) came here from Germany. He was an expert in Diesel engines, having worked with the man (i.e., Herr Diesel) himself.
A short lesson here - gasoline engines are as light as any lump of metal can be while withstanding controlled explosions inside of it. Diesel engines go the extra mile of compressing the gas/air mixture so much it explodes BY ITSELF (no spark plug needed). Hence, a way more rugged hunk of metal.
But, I digress - back to Uncle Franz. He was a giant of a man with the German-accented English and the Teutonic air of authority you would expect. Frankly, he scared the bejeezus out of me. Once, on the NY subway with my dear mother in the '40s, he was expostulating - loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the subway - about the problems in Germany with "ze chews."
On the NY subway. My poor mother tried to disappear. Uncle Franz was unfazed.
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