Why do we (Americans) park in driveways and drive on parkways?

Question

Does this seem odd to anyone else besides me?

Answer 1

Yep, it sure seems odd to me, and I'm Canadian!

Well, it all comes down to this - used to be that driveways were long roads leading up to big mansions on hills, the type you see in Hollywood movies of bygone eras. Time passed, driveways shortened, until you park into a driveway more than you drive into one. Parkways are just scenic routes (the "park" is supposed to suggest that landscaped quality, with trees 'n' all.).

I found this link - it cleared things up for me (and very eloquently, I might add), I'm sure it'll do the same for you.

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19960507

It's from Random House, that big publishing company. Cheers!

PS The Straight Dope http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_080.html also answers this question. Have fun comparing 'em. :)

Answer 2

You probably don't know it, but this question is posted regularly, usually as a joke. .. so it gets rather tired.

Assuming you DON'T mean it as a joke and want an explanation, Paolo had some of it. Here's a more detailed explanation, in three partsl:

1) Grammar (the building of English compounds). The parts of English compound words like these can be related in a variety of different ways. So in this case, the relationship of "drive" and "park" to "way" is different in each case;

one based on the verb "to drive", the other based on the NOUN "park".

2) History of "Driveway" --- This originally referred to a private road, usually between a public road and a private house. Historically, these were rather long (think of an impressive country estate -- poor folk or those living in the city would not have a driveway), and their main purpose was indeed for DRIVING driving to the house, certainly not for leaving the horses and carriage (and later car) sitting on.

But in more recent times, driveways got shorter and people began more frequently to leave their cars on them (esp. as they added MORE cars and the garages became full of other stuff!)

3) "Park" is used in two different senses in these words (which is always a good setup for a pun or joke)

"parkway" meaning "a broad LANDSCAPED thoroughfare" is based on the NOUN "park"

Thus "park" here refers not to what one does ON this sort of road but to the "park" areas built (or left) around it. This fits with the meaning of park as an area of land that is set aside (originally by royal grant or law), for gardens, animals, etc.
the VERB "park" is based on this noun, referring to leaving something sitting in one place

(Thus is one sense both 'park in the driveway' and 'drive on the parkway' base 'park' on the same root idea -- only in one it is the land beside the road that is left sitting, in the one it is the vehicle.)


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/park
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/driveway

Answer 3

Yes, quite a paradox... I guess because if you park on a parkway you'll cause a traffic jam, and if you drive on a driveway you'll crash into the garage.

But seriously, I'm just guessing that the terms were just mismatched when they were invented. Or the inventors of the terms just wanted to confuse the heck out of America!

Answer 4

parkways are just paths ment to be by parks...a driveway is the drive way to your garage...just nobody parks in there garage anymore

Answer 5

And why is the freeway a toll road? In Illinois. And why do we speed up when the light turns from green to yellow?

Answer 6

funny

Answer 7

It's been bothering me forever..........lets make a petition and change it.

Answer 8

pleez answer my question i only have 1 day left. i'll answer urs later pleez hurry up