We were also misled by M. Michelin's use of the word "impracticable". "Impracticable," we argued with a careful exercise in semantics, leaves just a chance. More than that. As we thought about it, it seemed to give a broad hint that the road was passable to the young and the determined in sturdy motor cars. "Impracticable" - scratched paintwork, discomfort, difficult finding petrol stations, shortage of good restaurants - these it seemed were the sort of hazards the urbane Michelin was trying to convey to us. Alas, he was not.

Pearson, John. Gone to Timbuctoo. London: Collins. 1961. (chapter 9)