Railroad terminology
For nearly two centuries, the American railroad has been in continuous operation. It should, therefore, come as little surprise that during that time an entire dictionary of words and phrases have resulted, describing everything from locomotives, tools, systems, and railroad infrastructure.
Trains have had a tremendous influence on Western culture. The language of the railroad thus infused its way into how we speak, even today. Many of the words and phrases below may have railroad origins:
Trains have had a tremendous influence on Western culture. The language of the railroad thus infused its way into how we speak, even today. Many of the words and phrases below may have railroad origins:
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Express Line
Backtrack Just the Ticket Fast Track Railroaded Derailed Make the Grade Don't Get Sidetracked On the Wrong Track On the Right Track One-Track Mind Off Track Letting Off Steam Blowing Smoke Blowing your Stack |
Tunnel Vision
Light at the End of the Tunnel Streamlined Keeping/Staying on track Bells and Whistles That's the Ticket Chugging Along Hell on Wheels Train Wreck Like a Freight Train End of the Line On the Wrong Side of the Tracks |
9 common words with railroad origins
1. DOUBLE-HEADER
Before we came to know double-header as two baseball games played in a row, it was first a firework (1869), then a railroad train with two engines (1877). While there is still debate about whether the baseball term came from fireworks or trains, the double-header trains were hugely controversial in their time. Being able to take twice as many cars on the same trip, they were used as a cost cutting measure because the railroad operators could have fewer conductors and brakemen on a train, but it resulted in much more work for the remaining crew and was far more dangerous. Their forced introduction (coupled with a wage cut) led to widespread rioting in 1877.
Before we came to know double-header as two baseball games played in a row, it was first a firework (1869), then a railroad train with two engines (1877). While there is still debate about whether the baseball term came from fireworks or trains, the double-header trains were hugely controversial in their time. Being able to take twice as many cars on the same trip, they were used as a cost cutting measure because the railroad operators could have fewer conductors and brakemen on a train, but it resulted in much more work for the remaining crew and was far more dangerous. Their forced introduction (coupled with a wage cut) led to widespread rioting in 1877.
2. SIDETRACK
You might not be surprised that this term for getting distracted or off topic comes from an actual sidetrack—a secondary track or line for a train. That meaning is from about 1828; we get the figurative meaning about 30 years later.
You might not be surprised that this term for getting distracted or off topic comes from an actual sidetrack—a secondary track or line for a train. That meaning is from about 1828; we get the figurative meaning about 30 years later.
3. NON-STOP
This term that we use to describe flights or anything continuous was first used to describe trains. In the 1930s, non-stop also referred to a variety show with no intervals or intermissions.
This term that we use to describe flights or anything continuous was first used to describe trains. In the 1930s, non-stop also referred to a variety show with no intervals or intermissions.
4. MAKE THE GRADE
The phrase ‘make the grade’, or succeed at something, might come have come from the idea of railroads going up a gradient or incline.
The phrase ‘make the grade’, or succeed at something, might come have come from the idea of railroads going up a gradient or incline.
5. TURNTABLE
A turntable originated as a railroad term referring to a rotating bridge structure used to turn locomotives or other single pieces of equipment. In later years, a "turntable" was another word used for a record player.
A turntable originated as a railroad term referring to a rotating bridge structure used to turn locomotives or other single pieces of equipment. In later years, a "turntable" was another word used for a record player.
6. BUMPER
We’ve all experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic at one time or another. Without trains, this sense of bumper might not exist. Coming from the verb meaning of bump, bumper originated around 1839 to refer to the buffer of a train car. By the early 20th century, the term also meant a fender on a motor vehicle. Bumper-to-bumper also emerged as a train term before getting associated with cars; the earliest references describe ways to store train cars “bumper to bumper.”
We’ve all experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic at one time or another. Without trains, this sense of bumper might not exist. Coming from the verb meaning of bump, bumper originated around 1839 to refer to the buffer of a train car. By the early 20th century, the term also meant a fender on a motor vehicle. Bumper-to-bumper also emerged as a train term before getting associated with cars; the earliest references describe ways to store train cars “bumper to bumper.”
7. JERKWATER
Jerkwater meaning small or inferior comes from jerkwater train, a line not on a main railway. These trains would often have to stop in towns so small, they didn’t have a water tank, and so the crew would have to lug, or jerk, water from a creek or other natural resource. Hence also the phrase, jerkwater town.
Jerkwater meaning small or inferior comes from jerkwater train, a line not on a main railway. These trains would often have to stop in towns so small, they didn’t have a water tank, and so the crew would have to lug, or jerk, water from a creek or other natural resource. Hence also the phrase, jerkwater town.
8. GRAVY TRAIN
According to the Word Detective, gravy the delicious dressing also meant an easy role or “easily-earned laughter or applause” in 19th century theater-speak. Starting in the early 20th century, gravy was slang for money or success, especially if easily obtained. As for gravy train, that was a 1909 term for “a short haul that paid well,” says the Online Etymology Dictionary.
According to the Word Detective, gravy the delicious dressing also meant an easy role or “easily-earned laughter or applause” in 19th century theater-speak. Starting in the early 20th century, gravy was slang for money or success, especially if easily obtained. As for gravy train, that was a 1909 term for “a short haul that paid well,” says the Online Etymology Dictionary.
9. SCHEDULE
Originally, the term schedule just meant a slip of paper, and quickly became associated with the pieces of paper that you attached to the end of a longer document. But starting in the mid-19th century, schedule began to be associated with train time tables, and from there expanded rapidly to any form of calendar or planning that you need to get done to make sure you catch your train on time.
Originally, the term schedule just meant a slip of paper, and quickly became associated with the pieces of paper that you attached to the end of a longer document. But starting in the mid-19th century, schedule began to be associated with train time tables, and from there expanded rapidly to any form of calendar or planning that you need to get done to make sure you catch your train on time.
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