Can you tell me what velology means?

You might think it refers to the study of bicycles; after all, biology is the study of life (bios Gr.), theology the study of God (theos Gr.) and cosmology the study of the universe (kosmos Gr.).  It doesn’t take a huge leap of intellect to conclude that velology would naturally refer to the study of the bicycle (velo Fr.)

Not so…

It appears the word velology has been appropriated by automobilia collectors as a protologism describing the collection and “study” of motor vehicle excise licenses (VELs). Wikipedia even has an entry to that effect.

Now, it seems that the VEL and collection thereof are primarily British phenomena so there are potentially grounds for challenging the Wikipedia definition and article as unencyclopaedic.

What worries me more is the appropriation of the term. Why should velology simply lend a gloss of academic seriousness to a subset of motoring ephemera. As a hobby it has much in common with stamp collecting – VELately, while not entirely semantically correct, seems a more fitting and arguably more etymological solution…

One thing is certain, velology should have nothing to with the motor car (even taxing it)!

Perhaps the best way to correct this bizarre precuperation is simply to take the word back. Here’s what you can do:

1. Try to use velology wherever possible to describe the study of bicycles and bicycling, their history and technology.
2. Track down existing examples of this prescriptive usage; velology, velologist etc
3. Spread the word – literally! Blog about it, sneak it into a comment or Usenet post.
4. Get this definition published. If you can, use it in a review or article, particularly in an academic journal.
5. Argue against the incorrect use wherever you encounter it.
6. Create web art, posters and decals promoting velology.

Keep me posted and good luck. Use it or lose it.

r:B