2006-12-26 16:46:04 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It elevates downwards too.
2006-12-26 16:54:37 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't make sense to give the same thing two names. I suppose it's called an elevator over a descender because its invention allowed higher buildings to be built. Thus, the fact that it elevates was much more relevant than its ability to lower things.
2006-12-26 16:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by bictor717 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you have to go up in order to come down. So you would be elevated before you were descended.
2006-12-26 16:49:21 · answer #3 · answered by Natalie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just one of those things, kind of like a toothpick? I would call it a teethpick but it just doesn't sound as good. Elevator is just one of those words.
2006-12-26 16:54:33 · answer #4 · answered by xI Crusader lx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But even when you're going down, you're still "elevated" above the ground floor level. (Yes, that's the best I could do.)
2006-12-26 16:51:08 · answer #5 · answered by nacmanpriscasellers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that both Natalie and Nacman... gave good answers. I agree that "we" chose these words based on our initial perspective from ground zero on good ol' terra firma. :)) (And the same perspective was used in selecting "lift" for this purpose in British English.)
And the same reasoning applies to the word "escalator."
2006-12-26 16:54:45 · answer #6 · answered by bobyglot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋