Episode 20: Route 66

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore captivating topics in under 10 minutes, in clear intermediate English. I’m your host, Christopher. I live and work in New York City, and I’m a language enthusiast who has always been interested in the best ways to learn the new language. 

This is the 20th episode of English, please. Thank you for listening! The next episode, we’ll mark the start of a new season, and I have some ideas for topics that I’m excited to talk about. The format will stay the same, but I hope to share a few surprises for you along the way. 

I was thinking about some of the interesting and historic cultural topics here in the United States. Of course, there are many topics to choose [00:01:00] from, but for this episode, I want to discuss Route 66. Maybe you’ve heard of it? 

Established in 1926, Route 66 was once nicknamed the “Main Street of America.” Basically, it was a single, very long asphalt road that extended from the huge Midwestern city of Chicago, all the way to the sunny beaches of Santa Monica, California, just north of Los Angeles. 

It connected eight states and became an important vital transportation corridor. But Route 66 was much more than just a path from Point A to Point B. It embodied the spirit of freedom and adventure that defined the American character. 

The 1920s and beyond saw a surge in car culture in the United States. Iconic American automakers like Ford and Chevrolet [00:02:00] became a familiar site cruising down Route 66. Gas stations with shiny pumps populated the highway ready to fuel these adventures. To cater to the growing number of travelers, a unique kind of restaurant emerged: the diner. Diners are small, casual restaurants, often prefabricated structures, resembling railroad dining cars. Inside, you’ll find a warm and welcoming atmosphere, commonly with red booths and a long counter with barstools. 

The diner menu is a celebration of classic American comfort food: juicy hamburgers, crispy, French fries, thick milkshakes, and generous slices of pie. Diners weren’t just about the food, though. They were social hubs where people could take a break and connect with friendly locals and other travelers. 

[00:03:00] Adding to the quirky charm of Route 66 were neon-lit motels with their unique architecture. Many of these featured the “Googie” style. Googie style was a popular American architectural movement of the 1950s and 60s that was characterized by bold futuristic curves and bright colors. Like something you might see in an old sci-fi movie. 

A big part of any road trip is a stop at a roadside attraction, and Route 66 had many. Travelers could look at the world’s largest toy horse, or be greeted by giant muffler men. These huge sculptures added a touch of whimsy to the journey. 

Oh, and I should probably explain the muffler men a little bit. A “muffler” is a part of a car’s exhaust system. The engine [00:04:00] in a car makes a lot of noise when it runs. And the muffler helps to reduce that noise. It’s basically a metal box with tubes and chambers that make a car run more quietly. The word “muffle” in fact, means to make a sound quieter or less distinct. The muffler man were named after the company who made these noise-reducing parts for cars, and the giant men were used as advertisements. They’re a famous part of Route 66, even today. 

Many popular American songs have captured the feeling of Route 66. Specifically the excitement of travel and adventure on the open road. The most famous song is definitely “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” written by Bobby Troup in 1946. This catchy song with [00:05:00] lyrics about driving down the highway in a convertible perfectly captured the fun of a road trip. The song is still popular today, and many other singers have recorded it and their own styles, including The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, and dozens of others. Depeche Mode even recorded their own version in 1987 using electronic sounds that fit their style. All of these different versions help keep the spirit of Route 66 alive for people of all ages. 

With the 1960s came the major growth of the interstate highway system in the United States. This system was basically a network of fast, limited-access highways called “interstates” that were designed for long-distance travel. Unlike Route 66, which passed through towns and cities, interstate [00:06:00] highways were built with efficiency in mind, so they featured fewer intersections and straighter paths to allow for shorter travel times. This modern marvel of engineering offered a quicker way to cross vast distances. 

But, the development of the interstate system also led to the decline of Route 66. Many areas were bypassed in favor of faster routes, and popular towns that once prospered with busy Route 66 traffic began to suffer. Maybe I can discuss this further in another episode, but widespread development of interstates had similar effects on many places all over the U.S. And it also increased the dependence of people in the U.S. on cars. Sure, there were good aspects, but there were just as many bad aspects. 

Despite [00:07:00] this, Route 66’s legacy has refused to fade. Its historical significance and undeniable charm have fueled a revival movement. Today, dedicated groups of people are restoring portions of the original Route 66, attracting new travelers seeking a nostalgic look at the USA. Classic car enthusiasts commonly take road trips along Route 66, stopping at historic vintage diners and motels that were built more than a generation ago.. While Route 66 may no longer be the most efficient way to travel across the country, it is a reminder of adventures on the open road and also of simpler times. 

If you find yourself in the American West near Route 66, I encourage you to see even a small part of it. I’ve been able to see many small sections, but I’ve never driven Route [00:08:00] 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. But it is something I’d love to do. 

I hope you were able to understand most of the content in this episode. And don’t forget, as always, there’s a transcript available to help you with your understanding. You can find the link in the episode notes. I recommend listening again with the transcript to help with anything that wasn’t clear. 

Again, I’m Christopher, and I want to invite you to join me in future episodes of English, please to hear about a variety of topics, all focused on helping you with your English. Subscribe now, wherever you listen to podcasts and let’s embark on an adventure together in clear, understandable English. 

Thanks for listening. 

See you soon!