The literal meaning of "Hīnayāna" (Theravāda) can also be "the small vehicle," referring to a raft
meant to carry one person, as an arhat, to nirvana through their own effort, in contrast
to the "large vehicle" of Mahāyāna meant to carry many at once, piloted by a bodhisattva.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism