# Where you live: different names for "street" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 26, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945 "2011-06-26T21:30:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/21 "2011-06-27T14:07:23Z")
I had a friend who lived on Pfaffenwilerweg (weg = way), also known as route de Pfaffenwil. But I think that, even in the US, you might find “route” used somewhere, if it was a numbered route. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/22 "2011-06-27T15:23:49Z")
Ah, and I do know people who get their mail delivered to, like, 1234 RFD. Which I believe stands for Rural Free Delivery. I think they technically have street addresses as well, but I’m not totally sure. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/23 "2011-06-27T15:42:51Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Rue To be completely candid and to give credit where credit is due, it was > **[What is my address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=611081)** > > I bought a house and all the paperwork says 123 Maple Drive and the street sign says Maple Drive. When changing my address with the USPS online, it said “we didn’t find 123 Maple Drive, did you mean 123 Maple Street?” I clicked no but it... What is my address? started 06-03-2011, 05:16 PM by **Fubaya** and [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13959208&postcount=45) … > [@](#): > > Posties are quite good about that sort of thing. I regularly get mail addressed to [fake number] 7e Avenue, 7e Rue, 7ème Avenue, Septième Avenue, 7th Avenue, Seventh Avenue, 7th Street, etc., etc. The fact that our postal codes only refer to one block (like your nine-digit zip codes) helps. … that gave me the idea for this thread. It’s rewarding that so many people share a fascination for the topic. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/24 "2011-06-27T15:54:16Z")
We have “Little River Turnpike” here in Virginia, but it hasn’t been a toll road since the early 1800’s (it’s now free, supported by the State from tax money). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/25 "2011-06-27T16:34:00Z")
When I lived in Japan, I lived at the corner of a dori and a street with no name. (I think U2 wrote a song about that.) ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/26 "2011-06-27T18:32:47Z")
Ing = former water meadow > **[Ings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ings)** > > Ings is an old word of Old English origin referring to water meadows and marshes. > The term appears in place names in Yorkshire (such as Hall Ings, Bradford, Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve, Clifton Ings in York, Derwent Ings, Sutton Ings, Acaster South Ings, and Wetherby Ings), as well as in Cumbria, and in Lincolnshire. > "Ings" may be of direct Old English origin or potentially borrowed into Old English from Old Norse. Land of green Ginger > **[Land of Green Ginger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_Green_Ginger)** > > The Land of Green Ginger (grid reference TA099287) is a narrow street at the bottom of Whitefriargate in the old town area of Kingston upon Hull, England. There are various commercial and residential buildings along the street. The Land of Green Ginger contains what may be the world's smallest window, being a slit which was used by the gatekeeper of the George Hotel to look out for stagecoaches and customers. > The street was formerly known as Old Beverley Street. Various suggestions have been ... Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate > **[Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate)** > > Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is a street in York, England, known for its short length and unusual name. A continuation of Colliergate, it runs south to meet Pavement, Fossgate, and the Stonebow, and is adjoined by St Saviourgate on its eastern side. St Crux Parish Hall, originally one of York's medieval churches, backs onto it. > The street's name was first recorded in 1505 as Whitnourwhatnourgate, and later appears as Whitney Whatneygate. It seems to mean "neither-one-thing-nor-the-other street", alth... Dock, lots of places with that in the title Green, as in village green etc Staithe = river or marine loading wharfe > **[Staithe Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary](https://www.yourdictionary.com/staithe)** > > Staithe definition: A stage or wharf equipped to load and unload (coal, etc.) from railroad cars into vessels. Wharfe > **[Wharf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharf)** > > A wharf (PL: wharves or wharfs), quay (/kiː/, also /keɪ, kweɪ/), staith, or staithe is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more berths (mooring locations), and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships. Wharves are often considered to be a series of docks at which boats are stationed. A marginal wharf is connecte A wharf ... Hard - as in Plymouth Hard, Admirals Hard, or Portsmouth hard ![Seen at low tide. A high tide covers this slipway. Small boats lie on the mud but will float again at high tide. Beyond is Portsmouth Harbour station, built out on stilts so that the Isle of Wight and Gosport ferry terminals are always in deep...](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/27/77/2277789_d880b79e_120x120.jpg) Lake ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/27 "2011-06-27T18:51:09Z")
A lot of the streets in my town are Spanish in origin, but they usually Street or Avenue. My own street, let’s call it Del Perro to be slightly secretive, has 3 versions in town. Del Perro Avenue. Salida Del Perro. Calle Del Perro. Let’s see, I can also think of: Alameda Avenida Circle Bouldevard Camino Drive Terrace ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/28 "2011-06-27T19:33:56Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Hard - as in Plymouth Hard, Admirals Hard, or Portsmouth hard > [Portsmouth Hard © Graham Horn :: Geograph Britain and Ireland](http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2277789) Can’t believe you didn’t mention Hoe – as in Plymouth Hoe here. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/29 "2011-06-27T19:52:28Z")
I live on a “Trail” ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/30 "2011-06-27T19:58:11Z")
I used to live on a “Bay” - as in Anderson Bay. It was the equivalent of Curve or Crescent. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/31 "2011-06-27T20:02:53Z")
Having delivered mail once, and now having walked my dog on every street in my local area, names are not chose randomly. “Courts” are always cul de sacs. “Commons” are roads that go through private developments - I see no one has listed them yet. Where I grew up in Bayside Queens, NS roads wore streets and EW roads were avenues, but if for some reason there were additional streets between two consecutively numbered avenues, (like 45th and 46th) the first would be a Road and the second a Drive. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/32 "2011-06-27T23:20:05Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > … > Dock, lots of places with that in the title > … We also have “Tobacco Quay” in Alexandria, VA. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/33 "2011-06-28T00:54:58Z")
My wife’s sister was born and bred in Maryland but has been living in Illinois for the last 12 years. We go out to visit and while she’s driving us from the airport, a route she’s not 100% familiar with, she says, “I know there’s a frontage road around here I have to take.” My wife and I were both, “What the hell is a frontage road?” Sis-in-law explained it’s a midwest term for any old back road. Got it. Later at the rent-a-car place, the guy asks me if I knew my way back and I asked him to give me a quick run-down. First thing he tells me is to take the frontage road from here and blah, blah, blah. I take the road in question and get hopelessly lost in about 15 minutes. U-turn and trace the route back and eventually find my way home only to recount the tale to brother-in-law who explains what happened. Evidently a frontage road isn’t simply a back road but what we in Maryland call an access road, among other things, which runs parallel with a major highway. All the same, I figured I had learned something new. Sort of. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/34 "2011-06-28T11:46:51Z")
Straat Laan Boulevard Weg Pad ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/35 "2011-06-28T12:39:55Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > My wife and I were both, “What the hell is a frontage road?” > > Sis-in-law explained it’s a midwest term for any old back road. Not in this Midwesterner’s experience. > [@](#): > > Evidently a frontage road isn’t simply a back road but what we in Maryland call an access road, among other things, which runs parallel with a major highway. That I agree with. ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/36 "2011-06-28T12:51:54Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > We have “Little River Turnpike” here in Virginia, but it hasn’t been a toll road since the early 1800’s (it’s now free, supported by the State from tax money). Not to mention the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway, both of which are toll roads. Across the river in MD is the Baltimore-Washington (B-W) Parkway. I’m not sure what its proper name is supposed to be, but everyone I know calls it the B-W Parkway or just the Parkway or the B-W. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/37 "2011-06-28T14:12:54Z")
In Canada, I saw “rue \ street” ---
**Author:** ![suetonius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@suetonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suetonius)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/38 "2011-06-28T18:57:36Z")
In the North East of England, ‘Wynd’ is used for a street that isn’t straight but in the rest of the UK (possible exception of Scotland) you’d never come across this usage. ‘Chare’ is a lane. ‘Grove’ is upmarket. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/39 "2011-06-28T20:03:55Z")
> [@minlokwat](#): > > Evidently a frontage road isn’t simply a back road but what we in Maryland call an access road, among other things, which runs parallel with a major highway. > > All the same, I figured I had learned something new. Sort of. I’ve heard the term in other places. In New York, this was called a service road, running parallel to an expressway. I lived on one, and in fact they changed my street name to the name of the expressway which they dug across the street from my house. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945/40 "2011-06-28T20:28:58Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I’ve heard the term in other places. In New York, this was called a service road, running parallel to an expressway. I lived on one, and in fact they changed my street name to the name of the expressway which they dug across the street from my house. The service road name applies to similar roads in Montgomery and Huntsville (and no doubt other places) in Alabama. The street we lived on when I was in high school ran four blocks. They used those concrete street markers on each of the five corners, and on three of them our street was \_\_\_\_\_\_ St and the other two \_\_\_\_\_ Ave. We got mail delivered for both. In fact, we got mail delivered to \_\_\_\_\_\_ without St or Ave. That was back when postal workers would actually think about what they were doing. Speaking of which, do y’all remember the thing about a letter being properly delivered to: ## Wood ## John Mass [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-you-live-different-names-for-street/586945.md?page=3)