Highway in UK English?

[Torsten]

Hi,

There is this Brithish CNN weatherman by the name of Martyn Jeanes who has just talked about the 'highways in Germany'. Why do you think he says 'highways' rather than 'motorways'? Is that because he works for the CNN weather center in Atlanta or is the word 'highway' also used throughout the UK? (I'm asking this question because I always thought that 'motorway' is the British version of 'highway'). By the way, I think that Americans also say 'autobahn' when referring to the highways in Germany, is that true?

Thanks,
Torsten
PS: Now that I think about it again Billy Idol's song 'Blue Highway' comes to mind too. Yet another example of a Brit using an American term?
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TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Mister Micawber]

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I think Americans think that the Autobahn is only one specific highway that has no speed limit and is frightening to navigate because of the speed-crazed German Mercedes-Benz drivers. At least, I do.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

You right, Charles. As a matter of fact, Porsche offers special trips to Americans that include a driving training and 3 days of unlimited Autobahn speeding in a Porsche...
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TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[MrPedantic]

"Highway" is an old BrE term, with the meaning "a main road". A well-known series of topographical books on the counties of England is called "Highways and Byways" ("byways" are lesser roads).

Some highways appear in folk ballads, e.g. Ratcliffe Highway (known also for the Ratcliffe Highway murders of 1811).

In addition, BrE speakers may well be aware of the AmE use of the term, and might thus use it to AmE speakers, or in AmE contexts.

In the case of a German context, a BrE speaker might opt for the vaguer term if he wasn't quite sure if an "Autobahn" corresponded exactly with a British motorway or US highway.

MrP