Has anyone ever seen the term "slidewalk" used to describe one of those conveyor-belt-like surfaces which propel pedestrians? Chicago O'Hare airport has them.

I had need of a single word to describe them in a legal publication, and took the bold step of designating those things as "slidewalks." I suspect that I am not the only one who has done so, but I've never seen the term elsewhere.

I did a google search (something I don;t always think about, right tsuwm?) and found 90 references. Most of them are sci fi, but one SlideWalk is apparently a trademarked name for a slide presentation thingamajiggy.

I like the word, though, as it certainly gets the point across.

Found a cool word-contest run by a Canadian radio stations - Wanted Words. (http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/thismorning/wantedwords/index.html). They pose a definition and challenge listeners to create a word for the definition.
"Slidewalk" showed up in a list of words created to describe that funny walk one does on an icy sidewalk.

I've never been to Disneyworld but I seem to recall reading that they have moving sidewalks called "People Movers".

Ditto for Caesar's Palace in Vegas; they call theirs a People Mover as well.

bridget=)

Ipsa scientia potestas est ~Bacon

Ditto for Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport: People Movers.

(but I like Slidewalk SO much better, Sparteye! )

... moving sidewalks ...

I seem to recall seeing these devices called "Travelators" somewhere, sometime.

lusy

Love travelators!

Sounds like something out of a '50s "What Life Will Be Like in the Year 2000" newsreel:

"Running late, Mr. Futuro? No problem, just park your personal rocket sled at the Suburban Satellite Express Travelator Terminal. Hang on tight as you're whisked away in record time to the City Center..."

"Travelators" is what the airports call 'em; most of the big airports seem to use them. But I saw a man go one better in Schiphol Airport at Amsterdam a couple of years ago. He got off the plane and when he reached the terminal he unfolded a scooter with a little electric motor, flicked a switch and left the rest of us on the travelators eating his dust [metaphorical emoticon].

I've rarely coveted a gadget as I coveted that one!

I was not able to find an Italian name for that, we use the french "Tapis roulant" (rolling carpet? ).
I like it since it reminds to me the flying carpets from the stories of Ali' Baba'...
Ciao
Emanuela