the four-lane
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "the four-lane" refers to a divided highway or major road with four lanes total. It’s a regional way of saying "the highway," especially when contrasting it with the older two-lane road.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Most people call the main highway 'the four-lane' around here. Pronunciation
[thuh FOR-layn]
Meaning & Usage
- A divided highway with four lanes total (noun/dialect)
Mae:
Which way you goin’?
Which way you goin’?
Earl:
We’re takin’ the four-lane - it’s faster.
We’re takin’ the four-lane - it’s faster.- The newer, bigger road vs. the old two-lane (noun/dialect)
Mae:
Is that on the old road?
Is that on the old road?
Earl:
No ma’am, it’s on the four-lane.
No ma’am, it’s on the four-lane.other spellings: the highway
★ "The four-lane" reflects how rural communities describe roads by their lane count rather than their official route numbers. It signals local knowledge - if you’re from there, you know which one’s "the four-lane." ★
Origin
Came into common use mid-20th century as divided highways replaced old two-lane roads in the South and Appalachia. Locals began saying "the four-lane" to distinguish the new high-speed road from the old one.
Notes
Still widely used in Southern/Appalachian speech. Outsiders might simply say "the highway" or give the route number, but "the four-lane" remains the local favorite.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "the four-lane." Often used with a town or landmark: "Take the four-lane to Knoxville."