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July 20, 2007
Origins of Stupidity
Early on Wednesday evening I got hit by a car.
Perhaps "hit" isn't the best way to explain it, though "bumped" is a little too liberal and "struck" a little too harsh. I was making my way across the street-- slightly diagonally, because of a large swath of very slow moving tourists-- and suddenly I felt a strange impact upon my right shoulder and arm. It was hard enough to hurt but not enough to throw me and, for a brief moment, I was thoroughly confused. Then I turned my head, saw the back bumper of a van, and realized that for whatever reason, the vehicle had been slowly backing up down a one-way street, despite the fact that it had been motionlessly waiting for the light to turn moments before.
The guy stuck his head out of the driver side window and apologized. Then the light changed and I kept walking, while he drove away.
I received an admonition from Alexis when I told him this story. You didn't get his information, he asked. You could have internal injuries and not know it yet. I guess, I thought to myself, but really, what weight can you throw around when you have been jaywalking?
Do you ever wonder about the origins of modern words? On my train ride home on Wednesday I started thinking about the word jaywalking. Wikipedia gives a good brief history of the word- mainly that "jay" is an old form of slang for a stupid or dull person, and in this frame, one who is unaware of city ways. I think that it's funny how this has evolved over the years-- in the past, not crossing at a signal or crosswalk was considered something than an urban newcomer would do. In New York today, it's kind of the opposite. So in many ways, the definition of jaywalking has really evolved into something more simplistic- making a dumb move in traffic while on foot. Or, legally, crossing where you're not allowed, even if everyone else does it.
Regardless, whatever definition you use does not negate the fact that some van backed up into me on Wednesday. It hurt and now I feel stupid on many levels. I still maintain, however, that here in NYC we cross where can—hoards of grazing tourists, gridlock and various other characteristics of traffic in the city see to this, including our own impatient need to get places quickly. I guess a vehicular bump here and there comes with the territory.
Posted by callalillie at July 20, 2007 6:41 AM | City Life
I'm so glad you're ok! Just one more hazard to look out for on NYC streets (besides exploding steam pipes).
Posted by: jtw at July 20, 2007 9:30 AM
Also glad you are okay! I got hit by a car last year in a crosswalk on the way back to work because a woman took a blind turn to avoid hitting a biker. She was less than apologetic. I got the impression she was just relieved she didn't kill me so that she wouldn't get in trouble!
Posted by: yp at July 20, 2007 10:21 AM
Glad you are ok! That could have been much worse.
Posted by: Nicole at July 20, 2007 10:24 AM
You are okay, right? Getting hit by a van -- or bumped, struck, kissed, etc, etc -- is just plain surreal. No matter where you live!
Posted by: kiita at July 20, 2007 10:48 AM
i always think about the origins of sayings as well - lately the one i've been ruminating is "sleep tight" - what the hell does that mean?
Posted by: dahl at July 20, 2007 10:50 AM
If I remember correctly from a field trip back in 7th grade to a historic home... "sleep tight" has something to do with how mattresses used to be held up by rope (suspended across the bed frame), which could tightened before going to bed.
Posted by: Carter at July 20, 2007 10:59 AM
Yikes! Glad you're okay.
I think I'm the opposite of many New Yorkers (natives and transplants) in that I'm a little obsessed about crossing safely. I've seen too many accidents and near misses so I am extremely distrustful of drivers and avoid crossing against signals whenever possible. I will say, however, that I have no problem plowing right through those throngs of tourists to get to where I need to be. :)
Posted by: jenblossom at July 20, 2007 11:05 AM
I had an incident on my bike that is quite funny in hindsight. We were in fairly slow traffic and a car was turning right in to a driveway and didn't see me. I ended up leaning against the passenger door, knocking on the window and yelling, trying to make my presence known before they knocked me over completely. Finally they stopped and let me by.
Hope you're ok.
Posted by: Marcia at July 20, 2007 11:11 AM
I trust no vehicle with its reverse lights on -- EVER. Almost got mowed down once by a truck that suddenly went into quick reverse after being still for a long time -- and I almost did the same thing myself when I was learning to drive (now one reason on top of many that I do not want to try to learn again.)
Careful out there.
Ohhh.. While we're at it: I have been spending a lot of time in Cambridge, Mass recently, where cars are required by law to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. IT IS AMAZING and now I find myself incredibly frustrated at how cars in NYC do not yield to peds, ever. Drivers aren't going to be more observant of pedestrians until we make some traffic laws that force them to. Feh.
Posted by: beth at July 20, 2007 1:50 PM
i'm okay! i was more frightened than anything else. i am also usually much more vigilant than i was that day- there wasn't much traffic at all and i didn't even see the guy's reverse lights on. but i also wasn't really paying attention. i guess if you're going to jaywalk, you should at least be aware of the things around you!
Posted by: corie at July 20, 2007 2:04 PM
