Word Salad: “Universal”

adjective

• of, relating to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.
• applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.
• affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.
• used or understood by all: a universal language.

noun

• something that may be applied throughout the universe to many things, usually thought of as an entity that can be in many places at the same time.
• a trait, characteristic, or property, as distinguished from a particular individual or event, that can be possessed in common, as the care of a mother for her young.

As a mechanic, I’ve got another definition of this word: “Universal – designed to fit nothing“.

Ever had a “universal muffler hangar” that actually fit the pipe you were trying to attach it to?

Or a “universal car cover” that fit the contours of your car, at least good enough so that it didn’t slide right off?

Or a “universal wiring harness” that actually worked without doing a ton of modifications?

Or a “universal battery hold-down” that didn’t need any modifications?

Of course you didn’t. Universal products are NOT made to fit your car, or ANY car, for that matter.

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