Winter vocab: What do you call the snow piled where the sidewalk crosses the street?
You know that snow that ends blocking the sidewalk where at street crossings? The crusty, icy mountain ranges with narrow footprint shaped passages? What are those called?
We were thinking about this the other day while climbing over one of the snowy barriers. They're pretty much everywhere this time of year. And we figure there's gotta be a specific term for them. And if not, maybe it's time to coin one.
So, what's the word for that snow?
Earlier on AOA: That frozen slush on the bottom of the car
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Comments
Terra Periclitatus - or inconsiderate neighbor who clearly doesn't walk anywhere or own a dog - but that's not as catchy.
... said Valerae on Feb 11, 2014 at 12:17 PM | link
Plowicade: snow barrier left by winter street clearing operations.
... said Rob on Feb 11, 2014 at 12:52 PM | link
I call them a curse. It's probably the one thing I hate the most about winter around here.
A few days ago, I saw a guy fall almost on his face in the crosswalk while climbing though one. He was nearly over it when snow on the street side crumbled under his weight and he couldn't steady himself to stop the fall. It's a good thing for him there was no traffic.
Two years ago, one of the neighborhood cops had to help me over one of those treacherous snow barricades.
... said Paula on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:01 PM | link
Slightly related: #sneckdown - http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2014/02/2014s-endless-snow-has-least-been-good-transportation-nerds/8352/
... said ethan on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:02 PM | link
In old England it used to be called "walker's demise."
In the 50's they started calling it the "snodian."
I prefer Sidewalk Crust. But for the Game of Thrones fans, maybe we can call it the Northern Wall.
... said Ryan on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:13 PM | link
I call it the "frost-across."
... said Jamie on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:23 PM | link
I know this isn’t as fun as all the cool terms the All Over Albany universe comes up with (by all means, keep them coming), but in the urban planning field this phenomenon of a rim of snow forming around a crosswalk, typically as a result of a plow or several cars taking wide turns during a heavy snow fall, is known as a “sneckdown.†This is merely a recent play off of the less than sexy “neckdown†used by urban planners (see links below for definition and pictures), with the addition of an “s†to the term to signify the concept of snow forming the visual representations of underutilized space in our urban environment.
I find these very intriguing as I walk around town, for they demonstrate all the underutilized locations by vehicles where curb extenders, widen crosswalks, islands/planters, or bike lanes could be installed, helping to promote walkability, safety and calm traffic. While many may hope for an end to winter, I think mother earth has a few more storms left in her (like this Thursday) and I have begun snapping pictures of these sneckdowns in hopes that the community at large in coordination with the City of Albany can explore ways to enhance our urban landscape, public-scaping, and walkability throughout town.
http://www.planetizen.com/node/67081
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25788068
... said Rich on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:30 PM | link
Wouldn't it be a berm? Maybe a snow berm if you wanted to be more precise?
... said Daniel B. on Feb 11, 2014 at 1:40 PM | link
^Sneckdown - nice job, ethan. I hadn't heard that before.
Could these snow piles be referred to as boilerplates (the term for frozen, crusty, hard-packed snow, often with icy patches that can be dangerous for skiers. {dictionary dot com}) ?
... said capgirl on Feb 11, 2014 at 2:30 PM | link
YES! Sneckdowns provide a template for a more walkable city! (Though they are treacherous for pedestrians to navigate right now!) Here, enjoy this Sneckdown video: http://vimeo.com/19607481
... said Colleen Ryan on Feb 11, 2014 at 2:59 PM | link
The foot trail should be a scanyon, and the piled snow a...snountain. Voila!
... said Joe on Feb 11, 2014 at 3:59 PM | link
A violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
... said Bryan on Feb 11, 2014 at 4:20 PM | link
Bryan, I'm glad you mentioned it. There's a blind man in my neighborhood who relies on walking and public transportation, I have no idea how he handles it this time of year. Almost none of the corner-lot neighbors in our hood shovel out that part - not to mention the number of business and city-owned properties who fail to shovel at all.
FYI - don't forget you can report these types of hazards on the Albany Works 4 U / See Click Fix app or on your computer: http://en.seeclickfix.com/albany_2
... said Valerae on Feb 12, 2014 at 9:46 AM | link
my name for them violates the decorum of AOA.
i own a corner lot and i do my best, but the ****ing plow finds it necessary to come across the middle of the intersection and plow it all back up on my sidewalk, usually as I just finished removing their previous deposit. i'm just going to start leaving apology notes staked in the @#$@#$# @$^%&^^%!!!!
... said CAOD on Feb 12, 2014 at 12:06 PM | link
Ask an Inuit.
... said Craig Patik on Feb 12, 2014 at 12:15 PM | link
PITA Pile
(Pain In The A** Pile)
... said Spencer on Feb 18, 2014 at 7:50 AM | link