Definition of pike (Entry 1 of 8) 1 : pikestaff sense 1. 2 : a sharp point or spike also : the tip of a spear.
Why is it called a pike?
The carnivorous freshwater fish is probably derived from the “sharp point, spike” senses, due to the fish’s pointed jaws. The verb sense “to quit or back out of a promise” may be from the sense of taking up pilgrim’s staff or pike and leaving on a pilgrimage; and compare Middle English pī̆ken and Old Danish pikke af.
What does the phrase coming down the pike mean?
going to happen sometime soon
If you say something is coming down the pike, that means it’s going to happen sometime soon.
Why are Pennsylvania roads called pikes?
Turnpikes take their name from the pole or pike used to block entrance to a road until a toll is paid.
Did knights use pikes?
Lances and pikes were similar weapons but used for different purposes and by different soldiers. Lances were used by knights on horseback and pikes were used by common foot soldiers.
Whats coming down the pike or pipe?
The sentence implies that you are standing beneath the pipe looking up–not a good idea. The original expression is “coming down the pike.” It refers to coming down the turnpike, with the image of something getting bigger as it moves toward us.
Where does the word turnpike originate from?
Etymology. From Middle English turnpyke (“spiked barrier across a road”), originally used to block access to such a road until toll was paid. Equivalent to modern turn + pike (“shaft”).
What does the expression to go down the drain meaning?
being destroyed or wasted
If you say that something is going down the drain, you mean that it is being destroyed or wasted.
What does pike mean in a road name?
>What exactly is a pike? `Pike’ is short for `turnpike’. Those roads were originally toll. roads.
Does China own the PA Turnpike?
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) continues to own it – while its debts are mounting.
What is the difference between a pike and a turnpike?
Toll roads, especially near the East Coast, are often called turnpikes; the term turnpike originated from pikes, which were long sticks that blocked passage until the fare was paid and the pike turned at a toll house (or toll booth in current terminology).
Why did pikes become obsolete?
In the late 15th century and the first half of the 16th, the pike was an offensive weapon; by the end of the 16th and into the 17th, its niche was primarily defensive, though this did not preclude fights between pikemen. The push of pike became rare and battles were increasingly resolved by shooting.
Who invented pikes?
Ancient China. Pikes and long halberds were in use in ancient China from the Warring States period since the 5th century BC. Infantrymen used a variety of long polearm weapons, but the most popular was the dagger-axe, pike-like long spear, and the ji.
What is a weapon called a pike?
pike, medieval infantry weapon, a long spear with a heavy wooden shaft 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 metres) long, tipped by a small leaf-shaped steel point. The ancient Macedonian sarissa was similar. The use of the pike among the Swiss foot soldiers in the 14th century contributed to the decline of the feudal knights.
What does put the pipe mean?
The colloquial phrase put that in your pipe and smoke it and its variants mean accept or put up with what has been said or done, even if it is unwelcome.
What does the phrase pipeline mean?
If something is in the pipeline, it has already been planned or begun. Already in the pipeline is a 2.9 percent pay increase for teachers. Synonyms: on the way, expected, coming, close More Synonyms of in the pipeline. See full dictionary entry for pipeline.
What does pipe down come from?
Interesting fact about Pipe Down
The origin of the expression ‘pipe down’ is nautical. Whistled signals are given to crews via a boatswain’s pipe, with one of those signals meaning “time to go below decks and retire for the evening,” or “be quiet as it’s time for bed.” This has been used since the late 16th century.
Which states have no toll roads?
States like Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin and Tennessee do not currently charge any tolls.
Which state has most toll roads?
When many people think of toll roads, states like Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Texas may be top of mind, but Florida actually has the most toll roads of any state in the US. It has over 719 miles of toll roads crisscrossing the state.
Who owns the toll roads in America?
In all, the 46,876-mile Interstate System includes approximately 2,900 miles of turnpikes. How can I get a commemorative name for the Interstate in my town/county/State? Although the Federal Government provided funds to help build the Interstate System, States own and operate the roads.
What does we’ll go Dutch mean?
If two or more people go Dutch, each of them pays their own bill, for example in a restaurant.