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Why is "Ry" the abbreviation for "Railroad?"

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  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, January 7, 2023 12:09 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
BATMAN
It seems that there are rules to using the word railway vs railroad such as "you work for the railway (company) but you work on the railroad" if you are actually working on the roadbed and/or associated infrastructure.

 

If that was true, then the company names would all be "RAILWAY", but that is not the case.

It seems the main difference is one is more British, and the other is more North American. Clearly not the case of people just not knowing the proper use of language.

The terms are synonomous.

-Kevin

 

I am not in a position to really give an opinion one way or another as my education is not advanced enough. But like what was stated in the conversation it comes down to the local vernacular. 

There is an old line that always gave me a chuckle. 

The Queen does not speak with an accent you do.Laugh

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, January 7, 2023 12:48 PM

In Britain, the 'railroad' civil works are referred to as the 'permanent way' -- there's even a play about Hatfield with that name.

The English do not use the term 'railroad', perhaps because with granite blocks and fishbelly rails it's no longer usable as a 'road'.  They also don't use the term 'rails'; they call them 'metals'.  If you have a link to the Facebook page please provide it, as I'd like to see the discussion -- in the United States the terms are virtually synonymous in regular usage, but have a highly important distinction in corporate M&A.

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, January 7, 2023 1:25 PM

Overmod
If you have a link to the Facebook page please provide it, as I'd like to see the discussion

The only things I can ever go back and find on FB are the things I participated in and I did not participate in that conversation as it was way above my pay grade. While I find FB a gold mine of info and photographs, I rarely enter the fray.

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,230 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, January 7, 2023 1:45 PM

SeeYou190
I would never believe anything on facebook as a source of factual or logical information. Not even if 100 users pretend to be english professors.

Ya right, next you are going to tell me Fox news is not a pillar of truth.Smile, Wink & GrinLaugh

Language has evolved since the beginning of time. One thing I have noticed about so many things in my life is there has been a correct way and an incorrect way, then one day the incorrect way becomes acceptable and eventually gets official recognition. To some who live by the formal, changes will always be unacceptable. 

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by ndbprr on Saturday, January 7, 2023 1:56 PM

Well there is no doubt that the Pennsylvania was a railroad.  Their symbol is a keystone with an interlaced PRR in it

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, January 7, 2023 2:39 PM

ndbprr
Well there is no doubt that the Pennsylvania was a railroad.  Their symbol is a keystone with an interlaced PRR in it

And to complicate the semantics, they started out as a literal road, single-track with passing sidings that anyone could run a wagon with appropriately-flanged wheels on.  There was a post halfway between sidings, and a rule that the person 'first to the post' had the right to demand others to go back to the siding last passed -- there were said to be horrific consequences when teamsters 'laid on the leather' to git thar fustest.  Obviously this early attempt at a snakehead-prone National Road did not flourish very long...

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Posted by snjroy on Sunday, January 8, 2023 12:50 PM

gmpullman

Along those lines I wonder why the U.S. abbreviates Number as No. ?

Mose European abbreviations I'v seen use Nr. 

There isn't even a letter O in number. (I'm told it is from Latin numero) go figure.

Things to ponder — Ed

 

Correct, it would come from latin according to this source:

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/317797/why-is-number-abbreviated-as-no

Simon

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