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etymology - Why do you drive on a "parkway", and park on a "driveway"?


I've always been fascinated by these two words, as they seem to have the exact opposite meaning as expected. Is it because of the etymology? Or perhaps the meanings were switched at some point in time?



Answer



A parkway is supposed to be a pleasant scenic place, like a park.


A driveway is probably the only place on your personal property that you can actually drive.


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