Monday Etymology Lesson: funicular 

One of my favorite words and modes of transportation!  Funicular comes from the Latin funis meaning “cord or rope.”  Funiculars are a type of cable car which go up inclines and use some of the weight of the descending car to hoist up the ascending car.

Pittsburgh has not one, but two funiculars, one of which was built in 1870, and is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the USA!  These funiculars are oriented in such a way that the car itself stays level even with the incline. Another reason why Pittsburgh is one of my favorite places.  Pittsburgh, hell of a town!