Because that is where zebras cross the road (hat-tip)
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I am the Online Community Manager at PLoS ONE. My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. This is a personal blog and opinions within in no way reflect the policies of PLoS ONE. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
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« Clock Tutorial #3c - Darwin On Time | Main | EuroTrip '08 - London: after the Museum, part II »
Why is it called a 'zebra crossing'?
Category: Animal Behavior
Posted on: April 12, 2008 2:21 PM, by Coturnix
Comments
... I remember my first trip to London, seeing signs everywhere ... first at the airport, then in the tube, then on the streets ... saying "There is nothing more dangerous than a wet Zebra"
I had no idea what this is about. So I asked a few people "Excuse me, what does it mean to say 'there is nothing more dangerous than a wet zeeebra....." and no one had a clue.
Finally I asked this question while pointing to one of the signs ... the sign was a billboard and there was a zebra running and it said "there is nothing more dangerous than a wet zebra..." .....
.. And the person I was asking said "Zeeebra? Oh, you mean Zeh Bra... " Then he explained what a zeh-bra was to me.
Apparently, the white paint hey were using back in those days was slippery when wet. Ooops.
Which, if I may, reminds me of my friend Melanie's front hallway. She (though otherwise a brilliant person and an outstanding home improvement person) paved the front hall with a tile not meant to be on floors. Going to Mel's house under even slightly moist conditions involved a moment where you had to skate across this floor and fall down one in five times....
OK, back to the blogging thing....
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 12, 2008 4:04 PM