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Reader question: Please explain this sentence: They kicked the tires on a new business, and it paid off. My comments: Tires being American spelling for tyres…. Oh, tyres, tyres on the wheels. Why do people kick them, then? People kick the tires, or tyres, to see if they’re tough and in condition. Nobody does this any more, of course. But in the old days, say 100 years ago, when automobiles were only beginning to be mass-produced, tyres or tires were understandably much poorer in quality than they are today. OK, you’ve got it. Before people started their vehicle, many back in the day used to kick the four wheels to see if the tires are inflated and in workable condition. It is from this practice that the expression “kicking the tires” made its way into mainstream American language – meaning doing the normal and necessary check-ups before any endeavor. In our example above, those people started a brand new business and made money in consequence. In other words, the entrepreneurs started a new company after careful preparation and succeeded. So, in short, next time you see someone kicking the tires on something (or someone, for that matter), you know they’re evaluating the situation before taking further action. And here are media examples: 1. As the owners of TVGuide.com and the TV Guide Network want to sell, Open Gate Capital is seeking to include the print publication in a possible package deal worth $400 million - while the private equity firm denies that the magazine is for sale. | 
