Years ago the state of Maine Natural Resourced Department decided that
they would put name signs at the bridges that cross streams. In a
effort to be sure the signs represented what the locals called these
streams they sent researchers around to gather information. In one case
they were told "we don't really have a name, we just always called it
the crick". Later that summer the sign went up that said "Crick Creek".
On 9/12/2010 9:40 AM, Graydon wrote:
On Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 03:11:05PM +0100, Bob W scripsit:
[snip]
...This sort of thing is found a lot where one language group has
replaced another. The conqueror points to some natural feature and asks
'What is that called'. The vanquished native replies 'it is the Don' meaning
'it's the river, you idiot'*. The mighty conqueror says 'we shall call it
the River Don'. And so it flows quietly on.
*This is the meaning of the Ojibwe word Mississippi.
My favourite of these is Torpenhow Hill. (Tor, Pen, and How all meaning
hill in a succession of languages.)
-- Graydon
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