Definition of detour

The word "detour" originated in the early 20th century from the French word "détourner," which means "to turn aside" or "to divert." During this time, there were significant developments in transportation, such as the growth of the automobile industry, leading to an increase in road traffic. As a result, authorities had to find ways to manage congestion and direct drivers around road closures, construction sites, and other unexpected obstacles affecting their original route. Hence, the term "detour" became commonly used in the construction and transportation industries. In 1925, the term "detour" appeared in the American edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now Literary Dictionary, where it was defined as "the temporary diversion of a route for travel or transportation purposes." Today, the word "detour" is commonly used across various languages and industries, with variations in pronunciation and spelling depending on the region. In summary, the origin of the word "detour" is from the French word "détourner," meaning "to turn aside" or "to divert," and it gained popularity during the 20th century as a result of the growth of the transportation and construction industries, where finding alternative routes became essential for managing road traffic and worksites.