why is a footpath called a footpath and not a feetpath?

Question

after all we have two feet, not one foot.....

Answer 1

Not a Daydreamer and Dances with Unicorns are headed in the right direction.

"Foot" here in an attributive noun, that is, a noun functioning much like an adjective. As is typical of attributive nouns it takes a singular form (rather than the plural "teeth").

Here's the bigger picture:

"Footpath" is a compound noun, formed from the nouns "foot" and "path". The main noun is the second one, the first one ('foot') which modifies or describes it --thus functioning much as adjectives do-- is called an "attributive noun". "Attributive" means it gives us an "attribute" or characteristic of the second word.

I am not quite sure why some people are so surprised that the first part is "foot" instead of the plural "feet". In fact, this is the USUAL pattern for compound nouns that are constructed this way. The point of the 'attributive noun' is not focused on 'how many' but on characterizing the TYPE of thing it is related to or used for.

Maybe it will help to see other examples of this sort of compound which work exactly the same way, that is, where the main object is used for or related to more-than-one of the first ('attributive') noun.

For example, compounds of things used for PLURAL body parts and clothing :

earmuffs
eyeglasses
toothpaste
footrest
armload
finger food
nail polish
shoe rack
glove box

Some other examples. Note that in ALL these cases, just as in those already listed, the most natural way of explaining the compound will involve the PLURAL form of the first noun. (E.g., ear muffs are for a PAIR of ears, eyeglasses for a pair of eyes, finger food is handled with the fingerS, an apple tree is a tree on which appleS grow, a toystore sell toyS, etc.)

apple tree
grapevine
banana bread
potato salad
tomato soup
cracker barrel

dog pound
hen house
mousetrap
letter carrier
pencil holder
notebook

keyboard
bookshelf
record player

movie theater
toy store
bedroom
car salesman
flower show

song contest
band competition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_compound#Compound_nouns
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/compounds.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjective#Nominal_use_of_adjectives

http://209.161.33.50/dictionary/attributive
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-ATTRIBUTIVENOUN.html

Answer 2

It's true that we have two feet, but we walk a path "by foot" (as opposed to by horse or by vehicle), and not "by feet", so "footpath" it is ;-)

Answer 3

because paths are usually narrow only allowing you to take one step at a time with one foot in front of you fitting on the path...hense "footpath".

Answer 4

ITS CALLED A FOOTPATH BECAUSE YOU PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER. ON THE OTHER HAND IF YOU HOP, LIKE A BUNNY RABBIT IT CAN BE REFERRED TO AS A FEETPATH.


GOD BLESS

Answer 5

we have toothbrush, eyeglass, earmuff.........not teethbrush, eyesglass, earsmuff. Similarly, we have footpath, not feetpath.
That is, when we combine two words into one and the former word modifies the latter one, as in bookstore, the former word is used in a singular form.

Answer 6

because we travel on the footpath "on foot"

Answer 7

Because you walk it one foot at a time.

Actually, I believe Rita S is correct...
it's a "foot" path as opposed to a "bike" path or "roller skating" path, or "car" path....or even a "horse" path (trail).
and is reserved only for those walking or hiking on foot.

And further, in checking the Dictionary:
dict: footpath
A path or way for walking, not for cars, bicycles etc.
A narrow path for persons on foot.
Ok STOP HERE...repeat..."for persons on foot"
NOT..."for persons on feet"