Introduction
The Phaeton Nam e
The name Phaeton (or Phaethon) originally
derives from Greek mythology. Phaeton
(the “incandescent”) was the son of the
sun god Helios, who was the owner of the
sun chariot.
Derived from this, the word “phaeton” also
refers to the four-wheeled horse-drawn
walking coaches that became popular in the
18th century.
These phaetons are open owner-driver
carriages, featuring a trestle seat for two
persons with or without a canopy top.
Behind the trestle seat there is a seat for
one or two passengers facing forward.
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Even now, these phaetons are driven
at special events. Original examples
have become extremely coveted
collectors’ items.
At the onset of the 20th century, the
term “phaeton” was applied to touring
carriages with a fabric canopy and without
side windows.
The Phonetics of Phaeton
How is it pronounced?
Phaeton is pronounced as follows:
fay - ton
The ending is spoken with an unvoiced
“N,” comparable to the pronunciation of
the words Futon or Flacon.
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