Concrete or cement?

Concrete Construction, Oct, 2004 by Ivan L. Pfalser

I am a retired civil engineer with 30 years of experience in the design, testing, and repair of concrete structures. During this time my pet peeve has been the use of words "concrete" and "cement." I guess you could say my motto is "There ain't no such thing as a cement sidewalk." I have written hundreds of letters to newspaper reporters, magazine editors, and even a grade school textbook publisher over the years to correct their misuse of the words.

Recently I picked up an old issue of Reader's Digest (July 2000) and found the ultimate misuse of the word "cement." I thought your readers might get a smile out of it.

   Comedienne Joy Behar on why
   she hates the beach: "I only like
   sand if it's really flat, which is
   probably why I prefer cement,
   which is flat, unless you're living in
   New York City, the pothole capital
   of the world. Cement doesn't
   move, and it doesn't get into your
   bathing suit, unless you owe money
   to the wrong people."
   --Joy Shtick (Hyperion)

Ivan L. Pfalser

Cuney, Kan.