Originally Posted by
dynaryder
You're both wrong. Originally,'29er' was the term used to differentiate very wide 700c MTB tires(2"+). The intent was to make MTB's with larger diameter wheels so they would roll over obstacles easier than bikes with smaller 26" wheels. The term was later watered down by companies using it as a buzz word to describe bikes with wide(38mm+) tires.
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I remember riding a bike with 29" tires 45 years ago, 29" is simply the older imperial measurement that used to be in use before 700c became the more common designation.
I also have a bike I ride today that has 700c wheel that has 40mm tires on it, so your second point has no merit either. There are skinnier tires designated 29" and fatter tires designated 700c, there is overlap in the sizes and widths.