Why Do Southern Californians Say The Freeway?

Over at KCET, Nathan Masters says it all started because the region was an early adopter of the freeway. In SoCal, routes were were given names as they opened, and the names corresponded to where the freeways ended or places they passed through—like the Arroyo Seco Parkway or the Hollywood Freeway.

Do Californians say freeway?

Instead, it’s typically shortened to either “101” or “The 101” depending on where somebody is from. In Southern California, the definite article “the” gets placed before just about every freeway or highway, whereas in the Bay Area just the numbers are said.

Why do they call it the freeway?

It connotes freedom from grade intersections and from private entrance ways, stores and factories. It will have no sidewalks and will be free from pedestrians. In general, it will allow a free flow of vehicular traffic.

What do Southerners call the highway?

Because of this tragic lack of getting the roads fixed, Southerners do not call our interstates “freeways” but “highways”. There’s nothing free about our highways (see GA-400). Changer or Clicker: you want me to pass you what? A remote control?

Why does Southern California have so many freeways?

During World War II, transportation bottlenecks on Southern California roads and railways convinced many that if Southern California was to accommodate a large population, it needed a completely new transportation system. The city of Los Angeles favored an upgraded rail transit system focused on its central city.

Why do Californians say freeway instead of highway?

Over at KCET, Nathan Masters says it all started because the region was an early adopter of the freeway. In SoCal, routes were were given names as they opened, and the names corresponded to where the freeways ended or places they passed through—like the Arroyo Seco Parkway or the Hollywood Freeway.

What states use the term freeway?

“Freeway” In California, free controlled access highways are referred to as “freeways.” The opposite of this is a toll road. Although toll-free highways exist in abundance outside of the West Coast, that region is one of the only places that routinely uses the term “freeway.”

What are things Californians say?

Surfer Slang

What is difference between highway and freeway?

The main difference between a highway and a freeway is limited or controlled access. You can only get on a freeway via ramps at designated points. The speed limits on freeways are generally higher than on highways.

What are highways called in California?

Most of these are numbered in a statewide system, and are known as State Route X (abbreviated SR X). United States Numbered Highways are labeled US X, and Interstate Highways are Interstate X.

What’s the most Southern thing to say?

24 Colorful Southern Sayings You Won’t Hear Anywhere Else

1. Bless your heart. While this phrase can be meant sincerely, it usually has an edge.
2. If I had my druthers.
3. He’s having a dying duck fit.
4. Hold your horses.
5. What in the Sam Hill?
6. She’s stuck up higher than a light pole.
7. As all get-out.
8. Finer than a frog’s hair.

Why do Southerners say fixin?

One reason we love “fixin’ to” is that it’s vague. It doesn’t have to mean “about to do something in the next 10 seconds.” Or even the next hour or next day. That gives the speaker a little time to prepare to do something.

How do Southerners say pretty?

These compliments and lighthearted digs have Southern flair aplenty.

• She’s as pretty as a peach.
• They’re as pretty as a pitcher. (
• He’s a tall drink of iced tea.
• They’re as happy as clams at high tide.
• She’s as smart as all get out.
• They’re finer than frogs’ hair split four ways.
• She’s got gumption.

What is the busiest freeway in the United States?

Los Angeles’ section of I-405 serves an estimated 379,000 vehicles per day, making it the busiest interstate in any American city.

Why do so many California freeways end in 5 or 80?

Routes in three-digit numbers, the first of which is even, are loops through or belt routes around cities.” That’s why so many California highways around big cities carry even numbers. You can see that in the Bay Area, where 880, 680 and 280 make indirect paths around cities as they branch off from I-80.

What’s the oldest freeway in California?

The Pasadena Freeway
The Pasadena Freeway is the state’s oldest. And it’s the third oldest superhighway in the nation–a sunken, six-lane parkway that thrilled the public when it opened Dec. 30, 1940, and helped supercharge Southern California’s love of the auto. Later, it became a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Are Californians obsessed with directions?

It shows Californians’ obsession with directions
As a semiforeigner, I always found it bizarre that residents of the West Coast seemed so proud of the different road combinations they took each day. Sure, traffic in California is bad, but the way people discuss directions borderlines on reverence!

Is it I-5 or the 5?

I-5 is known colloquially as “the 5” to Southern California residents and “5” to Northern California residents due to varieties in California English. The highway connects to the Mexican Federal Highway 1 (Fed. 1) in the south.

Why is the 405 called the 405?

The freeway’s congestion problems are legendary, leading to jokes that the road was numbered 405 because traffic moves at “four or five” miles per hour, or because drivers had spent “four or five” hours to travel anywhere.

What do New Yorkers call the freeway?

The term “freeway” as a highway name originated in California, and its use is most frequent in the western states of the USA. New Yorkers use Expressway, Parkway and Quickway, but the newspapers frequently refer to these as “freeways”.

What are the 4 states not served by an interstate?

The four state capitals not served by the interstate highway system are: Juneau, AK; Dover, DE; Jefferson City, MO; and Pierre, SD.