Hard Shoulder

[Caran]

Why is it called this? What has it got to do with a shoulder?

[Mamyalynne]

I presume simply because it is on the side...


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoulder_(road)

and 'hard' because it is surfaced.

[Caran]

Thank you Mamya, still seems weird though.

[mac44]

One definition of shoulder

: an area adjacent to or along the edge of a higher, more prominent, or more important part: as
a (1) : the part of a hill or mountain near the top (2) : a lateral protrusion or extension of a hill or mountain
b : either edge of a roadway; specifically : the part of a roadway outside of the traveled way