The word "Rushmore" is a proper noun that refers to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, USA. It is spelled using the phonetic transcription /rʌʃmɔr/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short u sound and the second syllable with a stressed o sound. The word is a combination of "rush", meaning to move with great speed, and "more", meaning a hill or mountain. The proper noun was named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer who led an expedition to the region in 1885.
Rushmore is a noun that refers to one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States of America. More specifically, it is an enormous granite sculpture and national memorial located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Known as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, it features the faces of four prominent American presidents carved into the mountainside. The faces depicted are those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
The idea for the monument was conceived by historian and writer Doane Robinson in the early 1920s, who aimed to create an attraction that would draw more tourists to the state of South Dakota. Construction of the sculpture began in 1927 under the supervision of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, along with a team of over 400 workers. The project took fourteen years to complete, concluding in 1941.
Rushmore has since become a symbol of American democracy and achievement. The colossal scale of the sculpture, each face measuring approximately 60 feet in height, makes it an astonishing feat of engineering and artistry. It has also become a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors from around the world annually.
In summary, Rushmore refers to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a monumental sculpture located in South Dakota featuring the faces of four significant American presidents, embodying their historical impact and representing a symbol of American pride and history.
The word "Rushmore" has its etymology rooted in the combination of two words: "rush" and "more".
1. Rush: The term "rush" originates from the Old English word "risc", which refers to a grass-like plant with hollow stems. It later evolved into the Middle English word "rush(e)". In this context, it refers to plants belonging to the family Juncaceae, commonly found in wetlands and marshes. It is believed that the use of "rush" in the name "Rushmore" may be connected to the plant life found in the vicinity of the location.
2. More: "More" comes from the Old English word "mor", meaning "hill" or "moor". It is closely related to the Proto-Germanic word "mōrą", indicating elevated ground or a hilly area.