Greetings...
-=> Quoting Jim Sanders to All on News-007 <=-
JS> I often wonder why the news media continues to use the archaic
JS> term "tarmac" when writing of airfield locations or areas. All areas
JS> seem to be the "tarmac". Tarmac is an abbreviation of the English
JS> paving referred to a tar MacAdam. It went out with the last issue of
JS> WW I pulp fiction "Flying Aces." Asphalt paving as we call tarmac is
JS> generally replaced by concrete due to the corrosive action of jet
JS> engine blast on asphalt.
I think it must be a leftover from Britain. All aircraft at airports
were considered to be "on the tarmac".
It was a very common word in East Africa when I was there. Most of the
roads were just dirt, but those that weren't were called tarmac roads.
...from Brisbane, Australia. raymarsh@hotmail.com
... Omnia mutantur et nos mutamur in illis.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]
--- Maximus 2.02
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* Origin: Brisbug MIS Brisbane Qld (3:640/829)
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