The rise of "floor"

[Khatru]

Has anyone else noticed how the numerous words that descibe the surface we walk on have been replaced by the over-arching word "floor"?

It's most prevalent on news reports where we hear about someone falling to the floor  and not to the pavement, road, grass, earth, mud, ground, etc.

Trivial?

Perhaps but it does annoy me.

[Gordon]

Has anyone else noticed how the numerous words that descibe the surface we walk on have been replaced by the over-arching word "floor"?

It's most prevalent on news reports where we hear about someone falling to the floor  and not to the pavement, road, grass, earth, mud, ground, etc.

Trivial?

Perhaps but it does annoy me.

Me too - but I think this usage is mainly in England since I've never come across it locally, or elsewhere in Scotland: here 'floors' are inside buildings.

[jeremyp]

I can't explain it, I'm totally floored.

[floo]

I haven't heard the word 'floor' used in any other context than describing an interior surface.

[Hope]

I haven't heard the word 'floor' used in any other context than describing an interior surface.

I'd partially agree, but believe that it is an Americanism.

[ippy]

How about calling a car radio/CD player, 'a stereo'? We didn't call car radios 'a mono' in pre stereo broadcasting days.

Why do people say check out, where the out isn't needed, as in most cases?

Why do so many people think Star Trek is fiction? 

Why doesn't the BBC bring back 'Blake's Seven?

Why do people say brainwashing when they really mean indoctrination?

Why do people say sideburns when they really mean sideboards?

Why do people say "me and everybody else", instead of being polite and referring to everyone else first and then add, "and I"?

What am I on about?

ippy