Sloped surfaces connecting different levels, or wild leeks (Allium tricoccum) prized as a spring delicacy in Appalachian cuisine.
Architectural meaning from French 'rampe' (slope, incline). The plant meaning comes from 'ramps' as dialectal variant of 'ramsons' (wild garlic), from Old English 'hramsa' related to 'ram' (the animal).
The dual meaning creates delightful confusion for urban visitors to Appalachian festivals who expect accessibility features but find pungent wild onions instead. Ramps (the plant) are so culturally important in West Virginia that entire festivals celebrate their brief spring season.
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