Date:  Wed, 16 Jul 1997 10:43:56 -0400
From:  Brenda Lester <brenles[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CODY.GAC.PEACHNET.EDU>
Subject: Re: Ground for Floor

I'm plowing through George Eliot's _Mill on the Floss_ (1860), in which
the floor is always referred to as the ground.

On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Peggy Smith wrote:

> There are many expressions that have worked their way into the language
> which use the word ground. The meaning is closer to bottom, foundation,
> or base, rather than outside dirt layer of earth. For example:
> ground floor= walk-in level of a building, ground zero, proving ground,
> playground, testing ground, high ground, low ground... These are a few
> off the top of my head.
>
> P. Smith
>