> Today I learned two English terms from reading the regional
> (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) newspaper "The Plain Dealer". [...]
> The other is "Rust Belt".
>
> Just wondering why the "manufacturing belt" is called "rust belt".

It formerly was a major manufacturing area, particularly heavy
industry.  As economic conditions changed and jobs went elsewhere,
the large manufacturing plants, in large part made of steel, have
fallen into disuse.  With many such plants in the area rusting
through lack of use & lack of maintenance, you have a rust belt
(since the media needs a short, punchy phrase for everything).

						Lee Jones

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