Yes, place names are an interesting thing. On another thread, Flint explained the origin of the name, Illinois. We have a river called one hundred and two. Evidently, the Indian name for the river sounded like the French words for one hundred and two [to early French trappers] and they translated directly.

I dont live that far from where Sam Clemens [Mark Twain] was born. That would be in Florida. Actually, Florida is now under water. It is a place not far from Paris. To get there I drive through Mexico.

Do you see similar things. It would be interesting to know.

Best wishes,,,,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 11, 2000

Answers

To get to Ravenwood,Mo. from my town,you drive through Conception Junction.Benedictine monastary and convent there.Go figure.

Z1X47Y-I think we're fairly close neighbors.I'm at the junction of Federal 136&169 in NW Missouri.The E is real.

-- Sam (Wtrmkr52@aol.com), March 11, 2000.

The two best are still Intercourse PA, and Bird in Hand PA, which, amazingly enough, are near each other.

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), March 11, 2000.

What about King of Prussia, PA?

-- (formarty@aol.com), March 11, 2000.

Ok, it's not a "place name, but the guy in charge of all the computer hardware at my job is named Chip.

-- semper paratus (here_with@my.pals), March 11, 2000.

This bit of trivia may not be accurate, but according to one of the AAA blubs about Ohio, this town has the longest name in America:

Washington Court House

Can't say that anyone cool was born there. I mean, Wapak can boast of being Neil Armstrong's birth place, but at least WCH has one of the best outlet malls in the area, which I'm sure Lady Buckeye and Deb M. can attest to.

I think the coolest place is Ypsilanti, MI, which locals call Ypsi, and no one outside the area can pronounce correctly.

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), March 11, 2000.

From Jacksonville to Houston, the names of two towns put my children into convulsions of laughter: Red Butte and Grosse Tete.

What a burden for the local Chambers of Commerce.

-- mike in houston (mmorris67@hotmail.com), March 11, 2000.

Texas has a North Zulch, but no Zulch.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), March 11, 2000.

Larry Bird is from French Lick, Indiana

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), March 11, 2000.

DH and I always crack up when passing through Yermo, Lerdo, and Buttonwillow (all CA I think).

Isn't there a Soddy, Tennessee and Blueballs, PA?

-- Debbie (dbspence@usa.net), March 12, 2000.

How about Lizard Lick, North Carolina?

-- Morgan (morgan96@netscape.net), March 12, 2000.

Folks {Taz always hated this}:

How do you like Pucky Huddle. No origin known.

Best wishes,,,, , Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 12, 2000.

Sam:

Yea, not that far apart. I'm in Boone County. Probably 100 miles or so. Not so far if you are east of the Mississippi, but a whole state back east. I have a case of the Missouri Flu or I would have been back sooner [I believe that is an Okie term].

Best Wishes,,,,,, ,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 12, 2000.

Sam:

Of course that should have been west of the Mississippi. I told you that I have flu.

Best wishes,,,,, ,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 12, 2000.

Z:

Taz always hated WHAT? Folks using the term folks? I remember when I lived in Illinois people referred to their parents as "my folks." Since I moved to Texas, the term "people" has been replaced in my vocabulary with "folks." We be just plain folks, y'all.

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.thingee), March 12, 2000.

AAA is wrong. Washington Court House isn't the longest. Truth or Consequences, NM is longer, but I'm still trying to find a longer one.

-- Dave Freeman (uwaku@hotmail.com), December 13, 2000.

Dave:

The one that always brought a smile to my face as I drove through was Twodot, Montana. It is on US12 east of White Sulpher Springs. Everyone there pronounces it as Two Dot. It is a short piece from Judith Gap.

Best wishes,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), December 13, 2000.

I grew up in Goofy Ridge, IL., which is three miles from Buzzville. No lie. Not on the map, but both are on the Il. river just north of Havana.

-- Joe D. (papabear61759@yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.