While watching the Tour de France this year, I realized that the announcers use a few words that I only hear this time of year. I thought that you might like to see them.
“Chicane” – The general definition is “deception” or “trickery.” That’s the definition I remember, especially with the word, chicanery.
- But the Tour de France announcers use the word, chicane, to mean “a short section of sharp narrow bends formed by barriers placed on a motor-racing circuit to provide an additional test of driving skill.” (see Dictionary.com).
- So, the announcers were describing a road course that has “tricky” curves and bends.
- Hmm . . . feel free to use this word in your everyday life!
“Peloton” – I always thought the bike racing community used this word to mean a “group.” The announcers use the word for the largest group on the course, regardless of who is in it.
- Interesting that the origin of the word (French, of course) means “a little ball,” which also happens to be the base of our English word, “platoon.”
And last, but definitely, not least, “Traffic furniture” – WHAT? There are chairs and tables in the middle of the road?
- Considering that the race takes place mostly in France, I thought that, perhaps, that road furniture referred to a chaise lounge (haha – sorry, I crack myself up š¤£).
- No, it means a barrier of some kind, like a median. I like the real furniture idea, though. . . .
Watching the Tour de France (and listening to Phil Liggett, especially) is one of my favorite July TV times.
This was very interesting. I thought the term “chicane” was only used in NASCAR and other forms of auto racing. Several tracks used during the NASCAR season, notably the “Roval” at Charlotte Motor Speedway, have chicanes. I don’t watch the Tour so, naturally, I thought a Peloton was just a high-end piece of exercise equipment with a built-in trainer.
Hey, Laura,
Funny that our personal experiences influence our understanding of words, eh? (Canadian French expression, there, lol).
You knew the term “chicane” from auto racing. I knew it from bicycle racing. Now you have piqued (of course, origin of “pique” is Middle French) my interest, especially about the “Roval”! Roval instead of Oval? Weird and fun, and now I have more to consider.
And, yes, I suppose that the folks that created the Peloton exercise equipment maybe meant it to include a ‘group’? Do you think that they were that insightful?
Barbara,
The “Roval” is a NASCAR road course that fits inside an oval track. If you want to see what it looks like, you can see it here: https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/documents/2024-roval-seating-map-newtrack.pdf.
The numbers you see on the track are the turns. The chicanes are on the front stretch (turns 15, 16, and 17), the back stretch (turns 10, 11, and 12) and turn 7.
With regard to Peloton, I do think that they meant to give the owner of the bike the impression that they were in the middle of a whole group of people riding together. I do think that is kind of clever. š I am often amazed at the entrepreneurs and advertising folks and how they come up with these products, names, slogans, and commercials.
OOH, look at all of those “chicanes”! Tricky, indeed! Thank you for the “Roval” explanation!
And I completely agree about how clever some entrepreneurs and advertising folks can be when creating names, slogans, jingles, etc.
And how bad some others are, eh?
Hey, Laura,
I just heard from a subscriber that the Peloton was created by a couple of graduates from Georgia Tech (where the subscriber went to college), so he is, rightfully, proud of his colleagues. Being someone who also went to a “Tech” school, I thought you’d appreciate this comment.
He also mentioned that it often takes an idea person plus a tech / implementer person to come up with these amazing creations.
I’m still trying to figure out which one I am (if either?) š.
Barbara this was an insightful post about the word “chicane,” and it brought back some vivid memories from my childhood. Growing up in a southern family, my mother and grandmother often used the word “chicanery” to describe my mischievous antics. As a kid who was a bit on the wild side, I heard this word quite a bit!
What struck me while reading your post is that I never made the connection between “chicane” and “chicanery.” It’s fascinating to think about the roots and evolution of these words. Now, I’m curious: is this usage of “chicanery” specific to the South, or is it common in other parts of the US as well? Iād love to hear if others have had similar experiences or if this might indeed be a regional nuance. Thank you for shedding light on such an interesting topic!
Stewart, what an interesting comment!
And, knowing a little bit about you, I am not surprised that your family described your childhood behavior as “chicanery.” š.
Considering that my parents grew up in the NE part of the United States, I would say that chicanery is not a Southern U.S. term, BUT . . . I, too, am curious.
Anyone out there who grew up in the Midwest or Western part of the U.S. who has heard of this word?
Or maybe, only the mischievous youngsters among us know it. HAHA! Another reason Stewart and I are friends.
Sigh . . . lol
The Olympics have been great to watch this year with so many more viewing options! This is fund and informational Barb. Chicane I knew from MotoGP racing and the chicanery use was a lightbulb moment.
Peloton was new! A fancy stay at home bike using the name makes a little less sense to me, but I think I see where they were going with that one.
In the track furniture, Iām with you! How much excitement would that add to make that substitution to real furnishings š You crack me up too!
Fun comments, Cindi!
I totally agree with you about “real” traffic furniture! It sounds like a future reality show – dodging chairs, tables, etc.
WAIT! That already exists. Have you all seen the TAG games on TV? According to Wikipedia, “Ultimate Tag is an American sports entertainment obstacle course competition television series . . .”
I was, strangely, drawn to watching this event, although how I found it while channel surfing, I cannot tell you.
It was surprisingly compelling action. The competitors dodge each other to avoid being tagged while running and jumping over and under – YES, FURNITURE! Mostly tables, but still…
I think that I need to stop looking at screens. . .
Peloton being the base of platoon is blowing my mind. Small ball -> group -> military unit. So interesting!
Eric, I totally agree that it is so interesting how words, and the meanings of words, evolve from how one culture uses it to a different culture.
Another reason why we need to be aware of how our American English words and uses might be interpreted “incorrectly” (incorrectly to us, but not the listener).
More to learn!