It is incorrect to “normalize” // in HTTP URL paths

(See discussion on Lobsters . Some additions were added on 2026-05-02, to clarify things seen on HN.) Collapsing // to / inside an HTTP URL path is not normalization. If done by the origin, or a party authorized to rewrite URLs on behalf of the origin, it may be considered canonicalization or rewriting, just like rewriting /sillyclownwithnonstandardname/ to /%F0%9F%A4%A1/ ( /🤡/ ) can be correct…