The Geographical Conundrum: Going Up or Down to London
The Geographical Conundrum: Going Up or Down to London
Great Britain, especially London, often presents a unique linguistic landscape for the uninitiated. One particularly intriguing element is the use of ‘up’ and ‘down’ in relation to London’s railway lines and their associated terminologies. This article explores the historical origins, current usage, and regional variations of these phrases, unlocking the complexities of English geographical language and travel customs.
Historical Origins of ‘Up and Down’
The notion of going “up” or “down” with respect to London's railway lines emerged from early railway systems. This terminology derived from the convention of designating one direction of rail travel as the “up” direction and the other as the “down” direction. On most railways serving London, the “up” direction was towards the city, while the “down” direction was away from it (see [1]).
For instance, on the Midland Railway, an anomaly occurred. The “up” line was the line to Derby, meaning that the line to London, which was away from Derby, was paradoxically the “down” line. This distinction persisted until after the Grouping of the railways in 1923 and nationalisation in 1948 (see [2]), when the majority usage became universal. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that the ex-Midland line to London became standardised as the “up” line (see [3]).
The use of 'up' and 'down' in the context of London railway lines entered common parlance (see [4]) and became widely understood, especially in regions like the Home Counties, where the phrase "Going up to Town" was commonly used when referring to travel to London (see [5]).
Current Usage and Geographic Notions
Once the railways became well-established, and travel by road became more dominant, the use of ‘up’ and ‘down’ shifted to a geographic notion. For example, an individual living on the South Coast of England and traveling to London would describe the journey as ‘up’. In contrast, someone from Manchester commuting to London would say they are going ‘down’ (see [6]).
This usage can lead to some confusion for foreigners, as it contradicts common American geographical terms like ‘uptown’ and ‘downtown’. In England, one always goes ‘up’ to university, particularly when referring to Oxbridge (see [7]). For a student at either university who is expelled, they are said to have been “sent down,” a usage that predates the railway era (see [8]).
Contextual Examples
Let's delve into a few examples to better understand the usage:
Traveling from the North to London: If a person is traveling from Manchester to London, they would say they are going ‘down’. Traveling from the South to London: If a person is traveling from the South Coast of England to London, they would say they are going ‘up’. University Context: A student going to Oxford or Cambridge would always describe it as ‘going up’ to university, regardless of whether their home is in the North or South.Conclusion
The use of ‘up’ and ‘down’ in relation to London's railway lines and current geographic terms highlights the rich tapestry of English vernacular and the evolution of language due to transportation systems. These terms influence not only how people describe their journeys but also contribute to the unique cultural identity of the region.