Were used to saying the names of states and cities that have been totally stripped of their original meanings. Lets undo some of that. Two cartographers named Stephan Hormes and Silke Peust have created a new book called the Atlas of True Names. Basically, they translated the names of cities and states into what they ORIGINALLY meant. Most of our names come from various Native American languages . . . but you can also see influences from Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and more. Here are four highlights . . . 1. The United States of America literally means United States of the Home Ruler. 2. Here are some of the best state translations: Illinois is Land of Those Who Speak Normally . . . Missouri is Land of the People With Dugout Canoes . . . New Mexico is New Navel of the Moon . . . and Nevada somehow is Snowy Land. 3. Louisiana might have the coolest literal meaning: Land of the Famous Warrior. Although Hawaii will be proud that it means Island of the Gods. 4. Chicago literally translates to Stink Onions.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:16:00 +0000
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