Origin of Down the Pike As the chief roads that connected cities and towns before highways, turnpikes brought untold and unforeseen things: visitors, freight, opportunity. So the use of down the pike to describe the arrival of the unknown makes sense.
Why do people say coming down the pike?
The phrase coming down the pike has been used in the specific sense of “going to happen or appear in the near future” since at least the 1970s. The pike in coming down the pike is short for turnpike, which is a kind of highway. The phrase likens an upcoming event to a car driving down the road.
Is coming down the pike correct?
Coming Down the Pike is the Correct Phrase
When something is coming down the pike, it means something is about to happen. The phrase references any main road with a toll gate that connects different towns, bringing many opportunities and freights. But don’t be surprised if you see someone saying down the pipe.
Is the saying down the pipe or down the pike?
The experts have spoken: The expression is “coming down the pike.” Remember: The fact that Google offers 6,370,000 hits for “coming down the pipe” doesn’t make the expression correct–except maybe if you work for an oil company.
What does Pike mean slang?
go quickly
To pike is a colloquialism unique to Australia, meaning to ‘go quickly‘. And a piker is the type of person who would opt out of an arrangement or challenge or not do their fair share.
Why is it called a turnpike?
Early turnpikes were toll roads. They were called turnpikes because they were barred by a pike (or pole) balanced and swinging on a post. This aparratus was placed in the center of the early turnpikes as a toll gate.
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 clever as a pike mean?
What does it mean? Flink is the Norwegian word for ‘good’ or ‘clever’ and pike is an old-fashioned word for ‘girl.
What is coming down the line?
If you say that something happens all down the line, or right down the line, you mean that it happens in every case. [informal]
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.
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 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 is the meaning of came down?
to fall and land on the ground: A lot of trees came down in the storm.
What is a pike girl?
The Pike Dream Girl is any woman from a sorority who best represents and unselfishly supports the fraternity. Each autumn at the Fireman’s Ball a new Dream Girl is chosen. Active brothers vote several weeks before the formal function on which sorority gal will win the coveted title.
What do travellers call non travellers?
Travellers refer to non-travellers as “settled people”.
What is a pikey and gypsy?
Among English Romani Gypsies the term pikey refers to a Traveller who is not of Romani descent. It may also refer to a member who has been cast out of the family.
What state has the most toll booths?
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 is the difference between a turnpike and a freeway?
A turnpike itself is the bar on a turnstile, much like you’d see in a subway station or an amusement park. One pays the toll then moves through the turnpike. On the other hand, freeways were the dirt roads that didn’t require a toll.
What comes down the pike?
going to happen sometime soon
If you say something is coming down the pike, that means it’s going to happen sometime soon.
Does every US state have a turnpike?
Not every U.S. state has a toll road. If you live in a state with toll roads, you likely won’t feel blindsided by paying some extra money when traveling out-of-state.