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mrsc1880 t1_j9ezc5k wrote

>Because of the historic use of macadam as a road surface, roads in some parts of the United States (such as parts of Pennsylvania) are often referred to as macadam, even though they might be made of asphalt or concrete. Similarly, the term "tarmac" is sometimes colloquially applied to asphalt roads or aircraft runways.[22]

I've always referred to blacktop or asphalt as macadam. I didn't realize this was just a local thing (Pennsylvania).

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i_want_my_corncob_tv t1_j9fczop wrote

do you pronounce it mack-uh-dam or m'caddum?

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der_innkeeper t1_j9fhbud wrote

mack-uh-dam

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SlyFlourishXDA t1_j9fkxsk wrote

I grew up on the border of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and we pronounce it "mack-adam."

So interesting how words are pronounced differently even within the tristate area.

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jimmmymmmij t1_j9hp4gc wrote

I suspect Phineas and Ferb have something to do with this..

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adfthgchjg t1_j9fngci wrote

m’caddum. Googled “pronounce macadam” and it said“muh CA dum” (emphasis is on the middle syllable). The google answer page also speaks it out loud, to remove any possible confusion.

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mrsc1880 t1_j9fq4hk wrote

People around here pronounce it like mu-CAD-um.

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Riegel_Haribo t1_j9eznk7 wrote

Macadam is now used for the buildup of support below the surfacing.

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confusingbrownstate t1_j9fanjj wrote

From central Pennsylvania. I remember my elementary school always calling the paved section of the playground macadam. But I've never heard anyone use the word macadam since then.

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MustardFacedSavior t1_j9fmq4o wrote

Huh. I grew up in PA and just always that that's what the blacktop roads were called. Neat.

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mrsc1880 t1_j9fqf94 wrote

I'm from eastern PA and my husband was from the Pittsburgh area. He didn't know the word. I thought it was just him. I had no idea it was regional.

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Turious t1_j9g7xdm wrote

Pittsburgh region native here, checking in. I've never heard the word before.

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matt_1060 t1_j9hxkof wrote

I’ve lived in Pittsburgh a very, very long time. Never heard the word either.

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madery t1_j9gj0pv wrote

In Belgium we do the same. The original roads were asphalted over but still referred to as macadam

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EZ4_U_2SAY t1_j9hfhxx wrote

I’m in central PA, no idea that was a local thing.

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