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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 14, 2005 Since You Asked ‘Wordies’ like to keep you guessing Why do the news people and most folks that aren't fliers refer to the taxiways and aircraft parking facilities as "tarmac" when it is quite obvious that these surfaces are concrete? If they were asphalt, they still wouldn't be "tarmac, macadam, or blacktop." — Mike Merusi, Gold Hill You caught us, Mike. You’ve heard of "foodies," right? Well, some of us here are "wordies." We love unique words that convey a lot of information in a minimum amount of space — or words that just sound cool. "Tarmac" (uppercase "t") is actually a trademark for a special kind of paving used at airports to support the enormous weight of airplanes without deforming. But, much to the chagrin of the trademark holders we’re sure, "Tarmac" has come to mean more than what it first did. Ever "Xerox" a "Since You Asked"? Our Webster’s New World Third College Edition defines Tarmac as, firstly, a type of paving that combines the words "tar" and "macadam" (aggregate used in paving or paving containing said aggregate). Make the "t" lowercase, as in "tarmac," and it is defined as "1) an airport runway or apron 2) a paved road." Advertisement So, instead of having to say "the surface next to an airport runway" in a news story, we can say "tarmac" and a reader would know the location exactly. With one word we’ve replaced as many as seven — we love those kinds of efficiencies when space is at a premium. And if you hear us use "tarmac" in private conversation, we’re just trying to impress the ladies. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541- 776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s