The word metal comes from the Latin metallum and the Greek metallon meaning “mine, quarry, ore, metal”. Metalling refers to crushed rock used for road beds and surfaces, walkways and pavements, foundations and railway embankments. The use of road metal dates back to antiquity, but was more recently pioneered by John Loudon McAdam in the late 18th century.

The term is rarely used today outside archaeology, with ‘gravel’ being more typically used and understood. It is still in common usage in New Zealand.