What is a Vespa?

The term “Vespa” means wasp in Italian. The word came into wider usage when the Italian firm Piaggio invented, (concurrently with Lambretta,) the first motorized two wheeled scooters in 1945. The Italians at Piaggio thought their new creation resembled a “wasp”, hence the brand name “Vespa” was born.

Now, over 60 years later, many scooter buyers and prospective buyers think of the word “Vespa” when they think of a motorized scooter.

This phenomenon is similar to the words Kleenex for facial tissue; Xerox for copies, Coke for pop, and Twist N’ Go for an automatic CVT transmission.

However, “Vespa” is properly known as one widely known brand of motorized scooter. Other popular brands of scooters would be Twist N’ Go ( TNG), Honda, Yamaha, Aprilia, Piaggio and Kymco.

Some people even use the word “moped” to describe a motorized scooter, but moped is not the same as Vespa, and Vespa is not the same as moped. As we have explained, Vespa is a brand or type of scooter, while moped is a legal term that is used by licensing agencies to determine what kind of vehicle qualifies for operation without a motorcycle license. (usually 50 cc or less in most states)

So the next time you hear the word Vespa, remind yourself that it could be a wasp (if an Italian is speaking) or any motorized scooter (improper slang) or a popular brand of scooter made by the Piaggio corporation. (proper usage)