![]() There are some instances when unflashy language is desired. In some cases, but not all, this is leveled as a criticism, much in the way that prosaic, a word meant to describe prose writing as compared to poetry, can similarly mean "dull or unimaginative" or "everyday or ordinary" (as in "prosaic experiences"). When describing language or prose, pedestrian is used for words that are simple to understand and not flashy or ornate. Philip Martin, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8 Jan. Many scenes are ridiculously overlit - no doubt because Technicolor was still a glorious new gimmick in 1939. But most of the cinematography is pedestrian. Leaving that aside, at the very least it is an overrated movie, highlighted by a few extraordinary scenes - thousands of wounded soldiers, laid out row on row forever a horse-drawn carriage silhouetted by consuming flames some bloody, expressionistic skies. Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press, 6 Aug. And Prescott is among those doing the scrutinizing - each night at camp in the film room. Those picks, and the decisions that go with them, are under more scrutiny after the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback followed his remarkable rookie season with a somewhat pedestrian encore. Shirley Scott, The Urbana Daily Citizen, 12 Jan. Some folks in Brazil and Mexico celebrate the New Year by wearing red undergarments for good fortune in love and yellow undies in hopes of increased wealth. More interesting are certain customs popular south of our border or across the big pond. Pedestrian has another sense in English, as an adjective meaning "dull" or "commonplace."Īnyway, I find our country’s New Year traditions rather pedestrian. Adam Black, Black's Picturesque Tourist of Scotland, 1865 'Pedestrian' as an Adjective In the 18th century, pedestrian described a type of statue-one that depicted a person (such as a soldier) standing on foot, as opposed to one mounted on a horse, which was also known as equestrian.ĭirectly in front of Sir Walter's pillar, opposite the new Post Office, is a pedestrian statue in bronze, by Flaxman, of Sir John Moore, who was born in Glasgow in 1761. Sir Walter Scott, Quentin Durward, 1823 He was under the common size, though very strongly built, and his legs rather curved outwards, into that make which is more convenient for horseback, than elegant in a pedestrian. In early use, pedestrians were contrasted with equestrians-those who traveled on horseback.Īlthough accounted complete in all the exercises of chivalry, and possessed of much of the character of what was then termed a perfect knight, the person of the Count was far from being a model of romantic beauty. A pedometer measures your steps a pedal is operated by the foot a biped is a creature with two feet and a quadruped is one with four. ![]() The Latin pedester means "going on foot" and derives from the noun for "foot," which is pes. ![]() Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880 The Origin of 'Pedestrian' They hope to construct a $1.2 million pedestrian tunnel under Fulton Drive NW between the high school and North Park, with lots of activities happening on both sides of the busy roadway there.Īfter a brief rest at Hamburg, we made preparations forĪ long pedestrian trip southward in the soft spring weather, but at the last moment we changed the program, for private reasons, and took the express-train. Ely Portillo, The Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. The rules are part of the city's attempts to cope with the rapid influx of scooters that have proven wildly popular but also raised safety concerns as they zip around at 20 mph, weaving between pedestrians or darting into traffic. It can also be an adjective that describes something meant for people walking on foot ("a pedestrian bridge" or "a pedestrian tour"). ![]() We use the noun pedestrian to refer to a person traveling on foot, usually in contrast to someone traveling by some other way (bicycle, carriage, motorcar, etc.). There's nothing like a good, long walk to get the blood flowing. ![]()
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