A large enclosed shopping center with multiple stores; historically, a public walkway or promenade. A central gathering place for commerce and social activity.
From 'The Mall' in London, originally a tree-lined walkway for playing 'pall-mall' (a ball game). From Italian 'pallamaglio', literally 'ball-mallet'. The commercial meaning developed in mid-20th century America as enclosed shopping centers adopted the walkway concept.
Malls represent a fascinating evolution from aristocratic leisure (the ball game pall-mall) to democratic consumption spaces. They became America's town squares in the suburbs, serving social functions beyond shopping - teenagers socialized, seniors walked for exercise, creating artificial communities in car-dependent landscapes.
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