A while back, I did a post on the most popular town names in each country in Europe. During that post, we discovered that basically everywhere in Europe is named “New Village” (in their various native languages).
Well, here’s another European place name map from the same people – it’s called … ok, it’s actually got a title on the image:
A quick count makes that 8 in Norway, 6 in Sweden, and one each in Denmark and France.
And look, there’s a reason for this apparent laziness (most of the time, at least).
Å (pronounced Å), is the old Norse word for a small river. And that’s why you can see places named Å all over Scandinavia. Many small rivers, see?
Likewise, Ö (pronouced Ö) is ta Swedish world for “Island”. And as any fule kno, Sweden has the most islands of any country in the world (267,570 to be exact), which does make it a bit interesting that there is only one place called Ö. It has 90 inhabitants.
And, oh. It isn’t on an island.
Though, as beagle-eyed readers might have spotted, it is just up the road from Johannisberg.
Wow.
Finally, there’s Y (presumably pronounced EE) in France. And I know what you’re thinking…
Y did they call it that?
Is it because pourquoi was too long?
Well, they named it that because – apparently – it’s the shape that the roads make in the village.
Mmm. I suppose it depends on how strong your medication is.
Mine is clearly not strong enough.
Tomorrow, 2-letter places names! Yes, this is going to be a series* until we get all the way up to that place in New Zealand.
Auckland?
No: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
Bless you.
Eish.
* it’s not.