Origin of the term ''Hot water heater''

Where did this term come from? Who came up with such a weird term?

Did this term use to actually make sense a long time ago when (hot) water heaters were perhaps hot to the touch and people just got into a habit of calling them ''hot water heaters''?

This is one idea of how the term might have originated.

Why not call it a ''hot water tank'' instead of the illogical ''hot water heater''?

Jack,

Why are you obsessed with this topic? Hey, if it interests you, more power to you, but as I said in the other thread, we've discussed this topic ad nauseam on this forum. I believe you used to bring this up often when you went by the name of Restroom.

Here is a page in the archive with links to all of the "hot water heater" threads:

http://www.antimoon.com/cgi-bin/search/swish.cgi?query=hot+water+heater

I just wonder who the heck came up with the weird term and why other related weird terms such as open-can opener don't exist.

Hmm ... I call it a Hot Water System. Whenever I replace a washer or the seat of a tap (faucet in America), I have to make sure it's emptied if it's separate from the normal water inlet - like those old ones placed on or just below the roof.