The choice between "merry-go-round" and "roundabout" depends entirely on geographic dialect and the object being described. In the United States, "merry-go-round" (or carousel) almost exclusively refers to the amusement park ride featuring wooden horses and music on a revolving platform. In the United Kingdom, however, "roundabout" is the standard term for both that fairground ride and the circular traffic intersection. Furthermore, "roundabout" in North America can also refer to the small, hand-powered spinning platforms found on children's playgrounds, which the British also call "roundabouts." Linguistically, "merry-go-round" surfaced in the early 18th century as a descriptive name for the amusement, while "roundabout" became the dominant term for the road feature in the 20th century. In a figurative sense, "merry-go-round" is often used to describe a dizzying whirl of social or business activity, whereas "roundabout" can describe a circuitous or indirect way of speaking or acting.