4 ms·
Yes, British English pavement means American sidewalk. I suspect that when the word was first used only that part of the street was paved. See https://en.oxfo
by kwhitefoot 8y ago
Yes, British English pavement means American sidewalk. I suspect that when the word was first used only that part of the street was paved.
See https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pavement https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pavement
- majewsky 8y agoIn German, sidewalks are called "Bürgersteig", which means "citizens' step". Probably because the middle part of the street was used by peasants and merchants bringing goods into the city on carriages, while the citizens were walking on the sidewalks.
- jamesrcole 8y agoAnd FWIW in Australia they're called footpaths.
- rogual 8y agoIn the UK, official signage often calls them that, but it's not something ordinary people tend to say.
- jamesrcole 7y agoInteresting. Over here they're called footpaths in everyday spoken language.