A zebra crossing and a sleeping policeman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On one of my walks near home I was reflecting about differences in terminology between American and British English. What we call a crosswalk (as shown above) they instead call a zebra crossing. The Oxford English Dictionary definition is:

 

“a pedestrian crossing marked by broad light and dark stripes running parallel to the kerb from one side of a road to the other, at which (in most countries) vehicles must stop if a person wishes to cross.

 

The Wikipedia article titled Pedestrian crossing has a longer description. Other variations appear in Wikipedia. A pegasus crossing is special for horse riders, while a toucan crossing is for both pedestrians and bicyclists. The crossing shown above might also be called a pelican crossing (a pedestrian light-controlled crossing). There also is a puffin crossing (a pedestrian user-friendly intelligent crossing).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we call a speed bump (as shown above) they instead call a sleeping policeman. The Oxford English Dictionary definition is:

 

“a ramp in the road intended to jolt a moving motor vehicle, thereby encouraging motorists to reduce their speed.”

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cartoon shown above was adapted from one at the Library of Congress, and an image of a sleeping man was adapted from one at the U. S. National Library of Medicine.