Devil's Strip

[jwinslow]

Last night I was watching Criminal Minds, an FBI profiling drama where they psycho-analyze everything to classify & identify suspect (usually murder).

During one part, they were analyzing the speech patterns and identifying sayings specific to parts of the country.

They said the "devil's strip" was specific to Central Ohio. I've only lived here 3.5 years, is this a common saying? I've never heard it before, but I guess I haven't spent much time in areas with this patch of grass (between the street & sidewalk).

 

[JCOSU86]

I've never used it, heard it used here, nor knew what it meant.

 

[jwinslow]

It's certainly not what comes to mind without an explanation...

 

[scarletandgrey]

I've never heard the term...But I don't really consider Akron to be central Ohio either

 

[jwinslow]

I've never heard the term...But I don't really consider Akron to be central Ohio either

CBS' tv show tagged it as central ohio... but it's all farmland to them :p

 

[Mac]

Lived 20 min south of Akron all my life and I've never heard that saying before....what does it mean?

 

[tsteele316]

i grew up in youngstown and have used that saying my entire life.

the devil strip is the strip of lawn that is in your front yard, between the sidewalk and the street.

 

[Flocka]

Devil Strip, Devils Strip, Devil's Strip

Greetings from Akron, Ohio!

When I moved to Akron in 1986, the local chamber of commerce had a "Welcome to Akron" guide. In this guide, they explain some local terms. One of the local terms that this book explained was the term "Devil Strip" to describe the section of lawn between the street and the sidewalk.

Well, I have been here for a while, and I have come to like the term. Keep in mind, when I moved here, it seemed like a pretty ridiculous expression. This strip was a "treelawn", a "curblawn" or something, but certainly not a "devil strip".

 

[stxbuck]

I have never heard the term used in any part of SW Ohio/Miami Valley.

 

[Buck Nasty]

used it my whole life. also from Y-Town

 

[BUCKYLE]

Anyone that calls it that is a freak.

What about the suicide lane? Anyone else use that one?

 

[gregorylee]

Anyone that calls it that is a freak.

What about the suicide lane? Anyone else use that one?

constantly...

 

[BuckBackHome]

Called it that my entire life. I had no idea no one else called it that until I moved away. I always took the meaning to be along the lines of the property has to be maintained by the home owner, but it actually belongs to the government through a right-of-way.

What the hell is a suicide lane? A sidewalk in FL?

 

[BUCKYLE]

What the hell is a suicide lane? A sidewalk in FL?

The marked turn lane (when used by both directions of traffic) in the middle of the road. People use it for other things than turning, which makes it very dangerous.

 

[stxbuck]

Anyone that calls it that is a freak.

What about the suicide lane? Anyone else use that one?

Yes, I use that one.