Ground Zero

[chimney]

Why is the former site of the World Trade Centre(s) called this, I was always under the impression that Ground Zero was a name used for Nuclear bomb sites

[shaneystar2]

Ground zero is the exact location on the ground where any explosion occurs.
The term has often been associated with nuclear explosions, but is also used in relation to earthquakes, epidemics and other disasters to mark the point of the most severe damage or destruction. Damage gradually decreases with distance from this point.
The term was military slang.
Many journalists applied the term to describe the former site of the World Trade Center of New York City, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.Rescue workers preferred the phrase "The Pile", referring to the pile of rubble that was left after the buildings collapsed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_zero

[chimney]

Brilliant, thanks Shaney!

[WoWo]

Because the Americans have a strange compulsion to make up new words and terms whenever they get the chance.

[maxximus]

as they are constantly manufacturing history, they love to come up with new catch phrases and buzz words so their version of events stick in the ol memory bank better, especially in the minds of the young. hollywood is very helpful with this also.

[shaneystar2]

Well..seeing as this phrase was used was first used to refer to the devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which happened a little over sixty years ago its hardly a "new " phrase.

[Tanglefert]

That isn't just americans 'wowo'

[rojash]

Maybe it's not a new phrase, shaneystar, but it is a new meaning for an old phrase. As has been said, the Americans do have something of a penchant for creating new, dramatic-sounding words and phrases.

[Pippa68]

What else would they call it...'The Former World Trade Center Site' ?

Ground Zero is short & to the point ~ and pretty apt, IMO.

[WoWo]

"What else would they call it...'The Former World Trade Center Site' ?"

Yes thats exactly what they would call it, same as 9/11 is September the 11th 2001 or the 11th of September 2001.

Are you saying that we should abandon all current words in favour of quicker shorter ones just to save a bit of time?

There have been plenty of terrorist attacks in London, we never resorted to giving them other names.

[WoWo]

In fact I think i'll adpot the prinicple, I'll do away with calling my house 10 Green Lane, New town and call it "point zero" and my birthday will become 2/4.

So you are all invited to point zero to celebrate 2/4

[Pippa68]

Yes but it IS a bit of a mouthful, isn't it?

[Pippa68]

And yes, I am suggesting longer names & words are shortened or replaced. If it makes things easier to say, and easier to explain.

We do live in the txt speak era, after all.

What about D Day or VE Day..is that new?