Playground
Posted on December 8, 2007 - Filed Under ground
Playground the Word
The English language often combines sets of words with prefixes and suffixes from influential languages to create commonly used words. The word playground is an excellent example of this rule, so when separated into two words, play and ground, we begin to understand the morphed word’s meaning.
Play, Defined
The word play comes from the Old English word plaga. Play represents the activities that humans engage in for the purposes of entertainment. Some, however, also speculate that animals also engage in activities for entertainment and skill learning purposes. In essence, play can be an action that passes time in a pleasant way. The word can also be used to describe a story told by humans for other humans to enjoy. This is also known as theater or acting.
Ground, Defined
The word ground is also Old English and refers to a unit or measurement of earth, land or terrain. When used as a phrase in the ground, the meaning usually refers to an immediate area of earth close by.
Playground, Defined
When the two words are coupled after being broken down, the word playground means an area or measurement of earth, land or terrain that is used for the purpose of activity and entertainment.
About Playgrounds
An actual playground, which usually consists of a fun sand box, a ball ground, a grassy area and a jungle gym or outdoor play set and some swings, is quite often a place of retreat for families. Playgrounds are great for outdoor sports, relaxation, picnicking, jogging and other activities.
The sand box in a playground is used for building and exploring in. Usually young children take plastic tools and toys into the sand box to create model buildings, castles and other creative objects. When a lack of water in the sand causes it to be loose and dry, unsuitable for building, the younger children usually simply have fun scooping the sand into their buckets and dumping it out again. The sand is also, however, an excellent padding for children who fall from playground equipment.
The playground’s grassy areas or green belt, as it’s called, is commonly used for picnics, which are an outdoor meal, sports like soccer or volleyball, and dog walking for pet owners.
The best playgrounds usually have a ball ground. A ball ground is a court or paved area where children may bounce and pass a ball back and forth to one another. Ball grounds can also include a basketball court which includes a pole and hoop that the ball is passed through.
Jungle gyms or swing sets are usually contraptions made of metal or wood and plastic for children to climb on in playgrounds. They build stamina, flexibility and strength, but older models can often be dangerous. Newer models, made of bolted wood and plastic, are much safer. Swings are rubber seats that are attached to chains on a pole set, allowing a child to sit and rock back and forth in the air.
To conclude, though most commonly used for small children, playgrounds are essentially a great way to enjoy the outdoors while getting some much needed physical activity. With a positive attitude, a playground can lift your spirits and tone your body.
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