Date: Fri, 2 Dec 1994 10:28:12 -0600
From: Mary Howe HOWE[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UKANVAX.BITNET
Subject: Another highway observation
All the discussion about the use of the article in highway names brings
to mind another phenomenon I've noticed in Kansas. I grew up in various
New England states, where we either used the highway number alone or
preceded by the word 'highway' (e.g., "Take 95 to the Attleboro exit" or
"Take highway 95 to the Attleboro exit"). In this part of the country,
the number precedes the highway (e.g., "Take 10 highway to Eudora"). My
husband grew up in Kansas City, so at first I thought this was just a
feature used to describe roads around here, but he uses this construction
when we're in other parts of the country as well. (But what can you
expect from someone who pronounces 'route' to rhyme with 'out'?)
Mary Howe
Child Language Program Phone (913) 864-4789
University of Kansas email howe[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
1082 Dole Center
Lawrence, KS 66045