I came across this small book entitled "Handy Electrical Dictionary". It measures about 2 x 5 inches (pocket-size) and was published in 1910:



Here's a page from it showing 'Neutral' definitions:



Bill

Neutral Gear: The one that makes you stop to wonder why you're not moving anywhere, even though you're putting the pedal to the metal.

LOL Thinkgood! My mother still drives a stick shift, even though she's broken her left "clutch" foot twice...

Here in Austria you have to learn driving on a stick shift, otherwise you'll have marked in your license you aren't allowed to drive a stick shift. And they are far more common here than they are in the US.

And here folks think that the "pocket ref" and "Ugly's electrical" guides are new...