Question for Belfasters.... - General Discussion

lemoncurd · 29-11-2006, 12:59

Why are roads in Belfast always reported in the news with a definite article? i.e. "the Shankill road"

kubla · 29-11-2006, 13:09

Not sure about this, for example i would say something was on the Shankill Rd, or the Falls Rd etc, but i wouldnt say its on the University Street, I would just say its on university street!

Must just be something we locals do

snork · 29-11-2006, 13:43

Its because they are two very notorious streets in Belfast. I think one was seperated with a baracade down the centre (not sure if this is still the case) - loyalist flags one end, republican flags the other. They are known flashpoints for violence.

In the same vein you may refer to Moss Side in Manchester as a trouble spot, although it is an area rather than a street.

fi~ · 29-11-2006, 14:10

when referring to the falls or the shankhill its kinda giving away the political persuasion as well

29-11-2006, 12:59	#1
lemoncurd Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Gender: Male Location: Bristol Services: Freeview (Fusion FVRT200 DVR); BeUnlimited 8Mb Posts: 23,021 Blog Entries: 1	Question for Belfasters.... Why are roads in Belfast always reported in the news with a definite article? i.e. "the Shankill road"

29-11-2006, 13:09	#2
kubla Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 224	Not sure about this, for example i would say something was on the Shankill Rd, or the Falls Rd etc, but i wouldnt say its on the University Street, I would just say its on university street! Must just be something we locals do

29-11-2006, 13:43	#3
snork Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 530	Its because they are two very notorious streets in Belfast. I think one was seperated with a baracade down the centre (not sure if this is still the case) - loyalist flags one end, republican flags the other. They are known flashpoints for violence. In the same vein you may refer to Moss Side in Manchester as a trouble spot, although it is an area rather than a street.

29-11-2006, 14:10	#4
fi~ Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Services: virgin media tv phone broadband Posts: 4,672	when referring to the falls or the shankhill its kinda giving away the political persuasion as well