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by Travis Boehm on July 18th, 2004

Travis Boehm

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What is the etymology of the word "highway"?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by jalex137 on June 29th, 2005

    jalex137

    I think the original idea was that of a road built up and paved, normally with rocks, that will drain and never be muddy, making for reliable transport in all weather. This would be in contrast to the normal wagon or foot path, which would tend to wear into a depression, collect water, and make passage miserable if not impossible at times. It literally was the high road (or way). Which is not to dispute the first response; I'm quite certain, though I can't document it, that heiweg is consistent wth that.

    The Romans may not have originated the idea, but they were highway builders without precedent. Their system of roads all over Europe, Asia Minor, and the Middle East made it possible to move troops and communications with a new level of speed and efficiency, which contributed greatly to the stability of the empire.

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  • by wickedwillie on July 22nd, 2004

    wickedwillie

    As far as I know, the origin is the Dutch "heiweg", meaning "main road trough the moors from one town to another", dating form approx. the 10th century.

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