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I didn't know there was a difference between the two!

> Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates and bitumen that needs up to two days before it completely cures. Whereas, Tarmac is a combination of crushed stone and tar that cures quickly.

https://tarmacdriveways.ie/key-differences-tarmac-vs-asphalt...

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From your link I learned that tarmac is short for tarmacadam, named after John Macadam, who is also the name-origin for macadamia nuts.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Macadam

That is incorrect. John McAdam[0] has the name for tarmac, while John Macadam[1] has the name for macadamia nuts.

0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Loudon_McAdam

1: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Macadam

Thanks for the correction! I can no longer edit my comment but you are right.

And there's a name that became a French word there: macadam https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macadam_(route). Thank you both parent and GP for the history/etymology lesson.

Interesting! I often wondered while sitting on a runway, if tarmac was so good, why don't we get any? It's just at airports!

Strangely, you don't sit on Tarmac, even on a runway. Airport ramps, aprons and most busier runways are paved with high strength concrete.

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