The big question

[DeathAxe 10]

Why do we get ON and OFF a bus, but IN and OUT of a car?

[straylight_r 10]

Because you step on to a bus and 'climb' in to a car? Just a guess

[Bedders 10]

Do you 'get on a ship' or 'in a ship'? And what happens if you are on a cruise liner near the water level (i.e. low down the decks) are you still on it or in it?

[HarrietStar 10]

I'd say I get on a ship, not in it.

I think you have too much time on/in your hands!

[Longcol 600]

Because you step on to a bus and 'climb' in to a car? Just a guess

 

Nearly - buses didn't used to have doors - just an open platform at the back like this one.

 

http://knowledgeoflondon.com/images/routemaster.jpg

 

Quite a step up and down from / to the pavement.

 

A car has doors so you get in / out.

[Longcol 600]

I'd say I get on a ship, not in it.

I think you have too much time on/in your hands!

 

You would be aboard a ship.

[stonewaller 10]

I'd say I get on a ship, not in it. I think you have too much time on/in your hands!

 

You neither get into or onto a ship, you embark and disembark them!

[Chris_Sleeps 10]

You neither get into or onto a ship, you embark and disembark them!

Embark implies a journey. If one goes on a boat and the boat stays moored, have we still embarked?

[SiSiSi 10]

We got ON to anything we have to step up to (bus, plane, train, bike) and IN to anything lower (car, rowing boat, canoe).

[SiSiSi 10]

On seconds thoughts we don't, we get into a van. That's my theory out of the soddin' window.

[jongo 10]

I don't get on or off a bus.

[jongo 10]

We got ON to anything we have to step up to (bus, plane, train, bike) and IN to anything lower (car, rowing boat, canoe).

 

What about:

 

In a pickle