Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#140008 02/21/05 06:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
OP Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
In reading a history of East Lansing, I learned a new term. A wye is a triangular-shaped track used to turn around a train or streetcar. There was a streetcar wye at the intersection of Ann Street, Albert Avenue and MAC Avenue.

Bonus points for whoever knows who MAC was.



#140009 02/21/05 06:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
would that be Macadam? the road guy?



formerly known as etaoin...
#140010 02/21/05 06:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Don't know about MAC, but wye is what Mr. Fudd ordered with pastwami and cheese.


#140011 02/21/05 06:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Here's a good illustration, she said after heavy sighs over maps of the Wye River:
http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/~Heritage/streetcars/Images/Wye.jpg
I had wondered whether they named it after the letter, but questioned it since the top would have to have been closed.

Uh...was Mac whom they named Mackinac Island after?


#140012 02/21/05 08:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
I
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
I
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
"letter 'y'"

Actually, I think you got it, Jackie: from your map, I'd say the three diverging tracks were the tail track and the two branches. The main line, which "closes the 'y'" is not part of the wye. My guess.


#140013 02/21/05 11:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Sounds right, insel. lol at pastwami, btww!

Since MAC is capitalised, my guess is it must be an initialism... Michigan and...?


#140014 02/22/05 12:34 AM
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Oh heck, that's easy for someone who knows about Michigan Agricultural College, Moo Ewe. Isn't there a smokestack still there with MAC painted on it?



TEd
#140015 02/22/05 01:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
OP Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
We have WInner!

"MAC" does indeed stand for "Michigan Agricultural College," the original name of MSU. After that, it became Michigan State College, and then Michigan State University. There are still power plant stacks bearing the designations "MAC" and "MSC" on them.


#140016 02/22/05 09:30 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
In reply to:

Bonus points for whoever knows who MAC was.


Ah, Sparteye, you little devil, you! You fed us a red herring with the use of who rather than what in your challenge!

Not that what would have helped me at all...


#140017 02/22/05 11:29 AM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
> who rather than what

thank you, WW, I feel better now.



formerly known as etaoin...
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5