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You are here: Home / Language / Where do the terms highroad, highway, high seas, high tea come from?

Where do the terms highroad, highway, high seas, high tea come from?

May 18, 2020 by Karen Hill

It was not that the road, sea, way, or the like was elevated above others of its kind that it was labeled high, tracing back to Old English times, but that it possessed some quality that made it outstanding, especially notable.

The highroad and highway were main or principal roads; the high seas were oceans; high Mass was celebrated in full ceremonial.

And in a later day, high tea was an evening meal at which meat was served.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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