Facts

We use words freely that we clearly understand the meaning of with the word ‘cemetery’ being one such word, but what is it's origin? The word cemetery is taken from the Greek word Koimeterion, which is the word for ‘sleeping place.’ The word implies that the land has been set aside as a burial ground.

When researching early and mid 1800s articles discussing roads and road improvements, the term Mcadamize is sometimes seen, and can be found spelled various ways. But what does that term mean? It came from a Scottish gentleman named John Loudon McAdam, born in 1757, a pioneer in road construction and road improvement. His methods represented a significant improvement over previous road-building techniques which often relied on large, irregular stones and proved ineffective in handling drainage and wear. John Loudon McAdam’s methods significantly reduced travel cog from Scotland to London from approximately 7-12 days to just 3-5 days. This methodology still influences modern road construction techniques, including the development of tarmac (tar + macadam), commonly used in urban and suburban areas. His early work is still used in one form or another and is the basic engineering for designing most modern highways. An internet search of Mcadamized roads will furnish a plethora of information on the subject for those interested.