I was addressing some eBay stuff today, after holding a few eBay auctions. My delight-buds were twinkled by the name of the town on the first one:
“Throcking Buntingford”
I mentioned my childlike glee to Jo, who told me that she has lived in “Nempnett Thrubwell” and also “Farrington Gurney” in her youth.
Back in the Huddersfield area, I always chuckled at “Netherthong”, and the various other “thongs” there were - and presumably still are.
So, come on then - what are your silliest real place names?
I lived at the top of Dog Kennel Bank. When I was a child there was a row of houses in the village called Shittertons. There still is a pub called Bum Royd.
Posted by: Liz Marshall | January 05, 2006 at 11:45 PM
There is a village outside of Durham called No Place
Posted by: Ian | January 05, 2006 at 11:49 PM
In the Netherlands, I lived on a farm for 3 months near a small place called "Swifterbonk" ...... appartently their populations increases faster than any other town in NL. !!
Posted by: Mr. Mavin | January 06, 2006 at 08:22 AM
I have to say I think Scotland has some of the most amusing place names. However this one always makes me laugh when I drive by the sign on the way back north to my house; 'Ecclefechan'
Posted by: Ed Marshall | January 06, 2006 at 10:36 AM
These are great - thanks to all who have already responded. Fantastic.
Shittertons and Bum Royd are already deeply lodged into my all time favourites list.
Swifterbonk has to go there as well. No place is somewhere I have lived very near to for a long while, so I suppose that de-mystifies it a little. I do like the paradox it represents.
Might be fun to argue the council tax based on the fact that it was not a place...
Posted by: AndyC | January 06, 2006 at 11:56 AM
There is a place near Cramlingotn called Bog Houses.
Posted by: christine | January 06, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Sorry - I meant Cramlington!
Posted by: christine | January 06, 2006 at 02:20 PM
I live in a city called London, now there's a thing
Posted by: Aaron | January 07, 2006 at 02:27 AM
Just remembered another one from childhood. There is a row of houses in Almondbury called Mark Haigh's Backside.
Posted by: Liz Marshall | January 07, 2006 at 12:10 PM
I once got very queer looks when i asked for the directions to indoorroopoly I pronounced it as it is spelt when in should have sounded like indropily, and last year we stayed in the beautiful place with a nasty sounding name of geocrab
Posted by: lesley friend of the currys | January 14, 2006 at 11:44 AM