Why is it called a 'zebra crossing'?

Because that is where zebras cross the road (hat-tip)

More like this

tags: zebras, Equus quagga burchelli, photogr
This is a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jschroe/2213298226/in/photostream/">photo of a blonde zebra, or href="http://www.wildwatch.com/sightings/is-it-an-albino-zebra">albino zebra.
The accidental product of a study abroad program in Italy, Eclyse is a visually fascinating example of mixed genetic material. Eclyse's mother was a zebra living at a German safari park. When she was sent on loan to Italy, she was allowed to roam free in an enclosure with both horses and zebras.

... I remember my first trip to London, seeing signs everywhere ... first at the airport, then in the tube, then on the streets ... saying "There is nothing more dangerous than a wet Zebra"

I had no idea what this is about. So I asked a few people "Excuse me, what does it mean to say 'there is nothing more dangerous than a wet zeeebra....." and no one had a clue.

Finally I asked this question while pointing to one of the signs ... the sign was a billboard and there was a zebra running and it said "there is nothing more dangerous than a wet zebra..." .....

.. And the person I was asking said "Zeeebra? Oh, you mean Zeh Bra... " Then he explained what a zeh-bra was to me.

Apparently, the white paint hey were using back in those days was slippery when wet. Ooops.

Which, if I may, reminds me of my friend Melanie's front hallway. She (though otherwise a brilliant person and an outstanding home improvement person) paved the front hall with a tile not meant to be on floors. Going to Mel's house under even slightly moist conditions involved a moment where you had to skate across this floor and fall down one in five times....

OK, back to the blogging thing....