# Do you say “speed humps” or “speed bumps? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 29, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971 "2022-10-29T17:17:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/21 "2022-10-29T20:20:23Z")
Judder bars. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/22 "2022-10-29T20:21:13Z")
South suburbs of Chicago, speed bumps. In fact, there was a youngster I knew back in the day who was once run over by a motorcycle. After that, his nickname was Speed Bump. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/23 "2022-10-29T21:34:08Z")
Around here,the common practice is to call them all “speed bumps” although I understand the speed bump is shaped more like a low curb and the speed hump is a lower, wider object. Speaking of humps, I can’t help thinking of Alanis Morissette being funny. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VJg4rwDkkBA/hqdefault.jpg "Alanis Morissette - My Humps") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJg4rwDkkBA) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/24 "2022-10-29T21:37:33Z")
When I was in college working at Domino’s we called them “Lowrider Abatement Structures”. Several of of our drivers were members of a Filipino car club and had to park on the street between runs. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/25 "2022-10-29T22:00:11Z")
Another Chicago area person saying “bumps”. I sometimes, though rarely, hear “tables” for the wide flat ones but most people call 'em all “speed bumps”. Never hear anyone say humps. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/26 "2022-10-29T22:36:29Z")
Minnesota says bumps. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/27 "2022-10-29T22:48:38Z")
In southern New Mexico, they are usually called “speed bumps”. My dad liked to call them “sleeping policemen”, which is apparently British Empire slang that he picked up in World War II. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/28 "2022-10-29T22:49:06Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > IME, “speed humps” are used interchangeably with “speed tables” whereas “speed bumps” are narrow things. I don’t think I’ve heard or seen anything other than “speed bumps”; though it’s possible that I’m so used to “bumps” that my head automatically translates somebody saying “speed humps” into “bumps”. I don’t think I’ve seen “speed humps” written because my mind wants to think of that as some sort of quickie. (I’m relieved to see that I’m not the only one in this thread who saw that meaning of “hump”.) I’m 99.9% sure that I’ve never seen “speed tables” and don’t think I’d have known what it meant; so thanks for the info, now I’ll know. > [@needscoffee](#): > > got assigned chicanes instead Thank you also, for the new word! I knew the concept, but didn’t know the word for it. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2022, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/29 "2022-10-29T23:00:07Z")
I have an intense fear of speed bumps, but I’m slowly getting over it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/30 "2022-10-30T00:15:07Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Another Chicago area person saying “bumps”. [![](https://preview.redd.it/wjexq9xmf5h11.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=e653e1aaa1a1d4f65d66702a2f193bfbc5b6af78) ](https://preview.redd.it/wjexq9xmf5h11.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=e653e1aaa1a1d4f65d66702a2f193bfbc5b6af78) ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/31 "2022-10-30T00:27:35Z")
A speed bump is a small traffic barrier meant to slow cars. A speed hump is $25 on 82nd street. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/32 "2022-10-30T00:33:03Z")
Whether or not there are signs saying “Speed Hump” in Chicago, I can tell you, as someone who’s lived in the area for 30+ years, I never hear that term spoken by locals – they are pretty much invariably called “speed bumps,” regardless of the technical term, IME. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/33 "2022-10-30T00:44:12Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > A speed hump is $25 on 82nd street. Same as Downtown! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/34 "2022-10-30T02:28:55Z")
Sure. I’ve never heard anyone _call_ them that though when talking. As in, no one actually says “Shit, my car hit a speed hump…” ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/35 "2022-10-30T02:43:16Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > Speed bumps, here; though we do have two with signage calling them “speed humps” in front of the high school… whose mascot/team name is the “Camels”. But are they bactrian humps or dromedary? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/36 "2022-10-30T02:45:08Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > But are they bactrian humps or dromedary? Where does a camel keep his thoughts? In a drome-diary! I now return you to your normal thread. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/37 "2022-10-30T02:46:29Z")
Chicago area (well, I’m in Chicago itself, but reporting for the area) – speed humps are the wide things. Bumps are the narrow and much more annoying things. But, as reported, in local parlance, I hear “bumps” close to 100% of the time. I _have_ heard “speed humps” in the wild, but the usual term is just “bumps” for either type. ETA: Maybe it’s more like 90% of the time. I guess those “Speed Hump” signs – and there’s a lot of them here – have influenced it, as growing up, I had never heard that term. ETA2: Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a “Speed Bump Ahead” sign, only “Speed Hump Ahead.” But speed bumps tend to be located mostly in alleys, at least around here. Also, I can’t find any rhyme or reason as to when there is a sign posted as to their presence. It seems rather arbitrary. [Page 32 here](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/street/general/ToolsforSaferStreetsGuide.pdf) (PDF page 17) shows the difference between speed bumps and speed humps. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/38 "2022-10-30T12:39:22Z")
From this antipodean perspective the two terms are technically different. But the vernacular may be interchangeable. Speed humps are low, wide and have complex contours. Typically sited in the middle of streets and thoroughfares. They are higher in the middle than on the sides. They are wider in the middle than the sides. You should be able to drive over a speed hump at the proscribed speed limit without undue effect. Because of the contouring, if you hit one above the limit the effect on the drivers side is much more significant than the passenger side. So the most effective navigation strategy is to bear ever slightly towards the kerb. Speed bumps are semi circular and parallel to the road. The are typically at the entrance to residential streets where through traffic is to be discouraged. To navigate them you need to be well below the speed limit. They are effectively low concrete walls with rounded tops and they shake up the passenger as much if not more than the driver because the tendency is to steer the vehicle to the middle and hence the passenger front wheel hits the concrete ahead of the drivers. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/39 "2022-10-30T12:55:35Z")
In practical usage speed bumps is the generic for me and accommodates all types, while speed hump is specifically the wider ones. Speed bumps can also mean the narrow type depending on the context (to differentiate the type). ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971/40 "2022-10-30T13:39:14Z")
I’ve always thought of the broad low ones as **“normal speed bumps”** and the narrow high ones as **“evil American speed bumps”**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-say-speed-humps-or-speed-bumps/973971.md?page=3)