Things you've always wanted to ask, but think it's not worth making a topic for

[on_wisconsin]

There are just some questions Google can't answer, or when there is, it's not in layman's terms. Well, here, you can ask those questions and (hopefully) get answers.
EDIT. Lets try to keep this thread for general questions, no hyper local stuff (i.e. particular intersections/ signs etc).
EDIT 2. No lists of questions. No more then two per post, please. No triple (or more) posting either.

Could a person legally build a publicly open, private road w/ European standards and signage (in the US)?

[vdeane]

Given all the various signage in business parks, airports, and Disney Land/World, I would assume yes.  I don't know for sure though.

[Alps]

If it's open to the public, it's subject to the MUTCD, so no.

[Pete from Boston]

If it's open to the public, it's subject to the MUTCD, so no.

That's interesting.  So shopping centers, hospitals, office parks, etc., are somehow legally beholden to MUTCD rules?  If so, by what legal avenue?  This seems to be a formality at best.

[NE2]

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/faqs/faq_general.htm#praq1

Owners or parties responsible for such private roads are encouraged to bring the traffic control devices into compliance with the MUTCD and other applicable State Manuals, and those who do not may find themselves exposed to increased tort liability.

So yes, you legally can.

[Jardine]

Well, here's something odd I've wondered about:

Vinton Street in Omaha Nebraska crosses Interstate 480 and the overpass is REALLY steeply inclined, for an overpass.  So, in the entire country, what is the steepest grade on an overpass crossing a genuine Interstate ??

(too weird? not weird enough?)

[74/171FAN]

For myself I have been wondering:

Why is Newport News called Newport News?  Obviously I get that Newport came from Christopher Newport but why is News there.

(Note: There is a small area called Newport near the intersection of US 460 and VA 42 in Giles County. It is not an incorporated town so I doubt that it has anything to do with why "News" is in Newport News.)

[Duke87]

Why is Newport News called Newport News?  Obviously I get that Newport came from Christopher Newport but why is News there.

Not known for sure, several stories exist. Pick one.

[hbelkins]

Why is pooing cool?

[agentsteel53]

Why is Newport News called Newport News? 

also, Hampton Roads has nothing to do with roads.

[pianocello]

Well, here's something odd I've wondered about:

Vinton Street in Omaha Nebraska crosses Interstate 480 and the overpass is REALLY steeply inclined, for an overpass.  So, in the entire country, what is the steepest grade on an overpass crossing a genuine Interstate ??

I want to say that Fondulac Dr over I-74 in East Peoria, IL is steeper, but it's hard to tell just by eyeballing.

Street View: http://goo.gl/maps/42glv

[NE2]

Why is pooing cool?

If you have to ask, you're better off tagging bees.

[1995hoo]

I believe Newport News has come up before, but it didn't have its own thread.

[roadman65]

Why is Arakansas not spelled the way its sounds?

[NE2]

Why is Arakansas not spelled the way its sounds?

Nice rak.

[Zeffy]

Why is Arakansas not spelled the way its sounds?

I read up on this actually. It has something to do with the state government mandating that it be pronounced 'Arr-Can-Saw' while retaining the spelling of 'Arkansas'. I don't remember the exact details, though, so sorry!

[roadman65]

In Kansas it has the Arkansas River, yet in that state they say it as it is spelled.  My friend from Wichita says that is the correct way the state should call itself as well LOL.

Then again why is environment spelled that way when most people say it as envi-or-ment?  Yes, I know we have one person on this forum who stated once before that  he pronounces it as spelled, but I have always heard it as envi- or- ment and never as envi- ron- ment. 

[NE2]

Arkansas is the frog pronunciation, dude.

[english si]

Americans don't get frog pronunciation - hence why they ditched superfluous letters in words derived from Latin or French.

And English, as a language, is not phonetic - there's no such thing as most people not saying it how it is spelled (eg 'environment' with its silent first 'n'). Obviously you can't legitimately pronounce 'Arkansas' as 'Sausage', because that isn't how those letters in that way, in that context, are pronounced. However 'Cholmondeley' can be legitimately pronounced 'Chumley' as is how you pronounce that name.

[pianocello]

Then again why is environment spelled that way when most people say it as envi-or-ment?  Yes, I know we have one person on this forum who stated once before that  he pronounces it as spelled, but I have always heard it as envi- or- ment and never as envi- ron- ment. 

I pronounce it as env-iron-ment (iron, as in the appliance or the metal), so it makes phonetic sense in terms of smaller English words.

[Pete from Boston]

Then again why is environment spelled that way when most people say it as envi-or-ment?  Yes, I know we have one person on this forum who stated once before that  he pronounces it as spelled, but I have always heard it as envi- or- ment and never as envi- ron- ment.

Not sure who "most people" is.  Most people I know say it "en-vyern-ment."  Kind of sounds a bit to me like "Why don't we just spell it 'nucular?'"

[hotdogPi]

"Why don't we just spell it 'nucular?'"

Because that pronunciation is incorrect.

[hbelkins]

tagging bees.

huh?

[Brandon]

Americans don't get frog pronunciation - hence why they ditched superfluous letters in words derived from Latin or French.

We don't?

Mackinac
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Sault Sainte Marie
Marquette
Joliet (old Frog - now spelled Joliette)
La Salle

Need I go on?

Some are pronounced properly, and some are not, and there is no rhyme nor reason as to why.

Plus, we pronounce "garage" properly.

[1995hoo]

Americans don't get frog pronunciation - hence why they ditched superfluous letters in words derived from Latin or French.

We don't?

Mackinac
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Sault Sainte Marie
Marquette
Joliet (old Frog - now spelled Joliette)
La Salle

Need I go on?

Some are pronounced properly, and some are not, and there is no rhyme nor reason as to why.

Plus, we pronounce "garage" properly.

I once handled a matter in which opposing counsel was located in Albany, New York, and one of the attorneys' first name was "Jean." I had to send a letter about something and I asked my colleague who had previously spoken to them whether "Jean" was a man or a woman. He seemed surprised that anyone would think of the issue, but in that part of the country, relatively close to Quebec, it's a valid question!