Poh-thohl
Noun
A pothole is a deep hole in the road caused by wear and erosion.
Example usage: I had to swerve to avoid a nasty pothole in the road.
Most used in: Areas with poor road maintenance.
Most used by: Cyclists who frequently ride on roads.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 3/10
Also see: puncture, rim-bender, rim-dinger, wheel-buster,
What is a Pothole?
A pothole is a type of pavement failure which is typically caused by water accumulation in the soil beneath the pavement. Potholes are formed when the pavement is weakened by the freezing and thawing of water, which causes the pavement to expand and contract. This expansion and contraction causes the pavement to crack and form a pothole.
Potholes can be a major hazard for cyclists, as they can cause flat tires and even crashes. According to the American Bicyclist Association, potholes cause approximately $4.5 billion in damage to cyclists each year. Additionally, a study conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials found that potholes are the second-leading cause of bicycle crashes in the United States.
Potholes can be dangerous and costly for cyclists, so it's important to be aware of them when riding. Cyclists should be on the lookout for potholes and take extra caution when riding through them. Additionally, cyclists should be sure to check their tires regularly for signs of damage caused by potholes.
.The Origin of the Cycling Term 'Pothole'
The term “pothole” first appeared in English in the 1800s, during the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. It was first recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1819, and referred to a deep and dangerous hole in a road. The word was derived from the Old English “pot”, meaning “a deep, round hole” and “hol”, meaning “a hollow”.
The term “pothole” was originally used to describe deep ruts that were created by the heavy iron-rimmed wheels of horse-drawn carts. During the Industrial Revolution, roads were often made of dirt, and the ruts created by the carts were deep and dangerous. As road surfaces improved, the term “pothole” became associated with deep, round holes in the road, caused by water erosion, subsidence, or the wear and tear of traffic.
In the early 1900s, the term “pothole” began to be used by cyclists to refer to deep, round holes in the road. The term was adopted by the cycling community and is still used today to describe deep, round holes in the road that pose a hazard to cyclists.
