Strangest Place Names
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "GPS Groaners..."Collection of odd place names and their histories.
40 total reviews
Comment from blondie560
I enjoyed your contribution to this collaboration. I had never heard of any of these places. I enjoyed the humor you added, especially Disappointment Islands. I'm going to have to get in on the fun.
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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I enjoyed your contribution to this collaboration. I had never heard of any of these places. I enjoyed the humor you added, especially Disappointment Islands. I'm going to have to get in on the fun.
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Oh, please do! Just Googling around I saw so many great names!
Thanks so much!
Karenina
Comment from nomi338
I have been reading and enjoying your fine work for some time now. I can say with conviction, that you have never disappointed me. This like so many other posts of yours is delightful. I love learning little interesting tidbits like this. It is things like this exactly that made me a huge fan of history. My grandson thinks that history is dull, I told him that in all probability, his history teacher may be dull and uninspired. History when taught properly, is bold, daring and ultra exciting.
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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I have been reading and enjoying your fine work for some time now. I can say with conviction, that you have never disappointed me. This like so many other posts of yours is delightful. I love learning little interesting tidbits like this. It is things like this exactly that made me a huge fan of history. My grandson thinks that history is dull, I told him that in all probability, his history teacher may be dull and uninspired. History when taught properly, is bold, daring and ultra exciting.
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Thanks! The best history teachers I ever had made it fun, colorful, interesting...
The "bite and vomit" style of memorizing dates and filling them in on a test never appealed to me.
This world is chock full of interesting things!
I wish your Grandson a teacher like my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Kaplan. He taught me how to love learning just for the joy of it!
Thank you!
Karenina
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
Funny, "everybody" just 'hangs around' Cute.
A few obsrvations:
I believe convention would have us leaving one space between the punctuation at the end of one sentence and the first word of the next sentence. Most, or maybe even all, of yours has two spaces. Check it out. It used to be two spaces but that was some 50 years or so ago.
1st Para, 2nd sentence: ("Joker') should be ("Joker") One vs two quote marks
1st Para, 2nd sentence: Remove two spaces between "Joker' and "It's"
2nd Para, 2nd sentence: remove one space from between "(" and "I"
2nd Para, 2nd sentence: "homefries" should be "home fries"
3rd Para, 3rd sentence: "spitballing" should be "spit balling"
3rd Para, 5th sentence: remove one space before "Lets"
4th Para, I think the italics should have ended at the end of the quote.
5th Para, 2nd sentence: I THINK "land surveyors" should be capitalized "Land Surveyors" since it is a proper title. Check it out though. You did capitalize both words in the next sentence.
Last Para, 7th sentence: Change first Parenthesis mark from italics to regular. Your italics from "Waving spears" carried over to the first parenthesis of the next sentence.
Last Paragraph, 8th sentence: Remove one space between "with" and "little"
Last Paragraph, next to last sentence. the first "He" should not be capitalized.
I know I wrote a lot of "observations" but this is still a five-star piece. The things I wrote are minor indeed but they do detract from your piece.
Lots of really clever comparisons in this piece: Batman/hangs around then eggs and bacon/sunny-side up. Some pretty crazy names of places. Looks like a lot of research. Good job.
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Funny, "everybody" just 'hangs around' Cute.
A few obsrvations:
I believe convention would have us leaving one space between the punctuation at the end of one sentence and the first word of the next sentence. Most, or maybe even all, of yours has two spaces. Check it out. It used to be two spaces but that was some 50 years or so ago.
1st Para, 2nd sentence: ("Joker') should be ("Joker") One vs two quote marks
1st Para, 2nd sentence: Remove two spaces between "Joker' and "It's"
2nd Para, 2nd sentence: remove one space from between "(" and "I"
2nd Para, 2nd sentence: "homefries" should be "home fries"
3rd Para, 3rd sentence: "spitballing" should be "spit balling"
3rd Para, 5th sentence: remove one space before "Lets"
4th Para, I think the italics should have ended at the end of the quote.
5th Para, 2nd sentence: I THINK "land surveyors" should be capitalized "Land Surveyors" since it is a proper title. Check it out though. You did capitalize both words in the next sentence.
Last Para, 7th sentence: Change first Parenthesis mark from italics to regular. Your italics from "Waving spears" carried over to the first parenthesis of the next sentence.
Last Paragraph, 8th sentence: Remove one space between "with" and "little"
Last Paragraph, next to last sentence. the first "He" should not be capitalized.
I know I wrote a lot of "observations" but this is still a five-star piece. The things I wrote are minor indeed but they do detract from your piece.
Lots of really clever comparisons in this piece: Batman/hangs around then eggs and bacon/sunny-side up. Some pretty crazy names of places. Looks like a lot of research. Good job.
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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First, thanks! Can I put you on a retainer? (smile.)
Second, I'm tapping this out on a Kindle so will be unable to make your comprehensive corrections until tomorrow.
Third, I think I should not have skipped all those grammar classes back in the day...because Grammarly isn't doing it for me!
Fourth through Fiftieth, I really appreciate the tone and spirit of your constructive help... I know some would have three starred me for this.
You're a first glass guy, Gary!
Karenina
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Thank you for receiving the "observations" so positively. I have had others really rake me over the coals for pointing out potential improvements. Oh well, write some, review some.
Have a wonderful evening
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I had a reviewer some years back "three star" me for writing about my breast cancer experience. He had nothing to say re: improvements. He just said nobody cared about my cancer and he hoped I died. Now that's a review to be raked over the coals for!
I actually was flabbergasted to learn that two spaces after a period was "outdated." Much like me! (Smile)
I meant to give you a reviewer vote but my finger was faster than my brain. (Shocker!)
If ever you visit me again I WILL make up for that.
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Oh, based on this little story, I will be back, believe me.
On your reviewer experience. It's difficult but I really try hard to keep the content of the article out of my review and listen only to the intent. That reviewer was clearly out of place and should not be considered a reviewer.
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Thanks. That was out of bounds. I reported him to Tom. The review was removed. He's moved on...
I've been here since 2007, with breaks in between. That was the only review I was ever reported to Tom!
Nothing like a death wish when you're going through chemo!
It takes all kinds!
Comment from Judy Lawless
You've come up with some great, humorous names from around the world, Karenina! And I love they way you've presented them, with your funny side comments. Thanks so much for sharing these.
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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You've come up with some great, humorous names from around the world, Karenina! And I love they way you've presented them, with your funny side comments. Thanks so much for sharing these.
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Sometimes, when life is just chock full of depressing news and sadness, I try to run to something silly-- just to take a breath!
Hope they made you smile!
Thanks,
Karenina
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They did indeed.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A good overview of weird place names, Karenina.
-Your research and explanations and theories are appreciated.
-Each one has something to offer, or not!
-In Batman, Turkey, it is illegal to bat an eye!!
-In Eggs and Bacon Bay, they are only 6 degrees separated from Kevin Bacon, and they only eat their eggs sunny side up.
-In Hotazel, it's pretty obvious where they are headed at the end.
-Finally, in Disappointment Islands, you will never get ahead, truly disappointing.
-Thanks for sharing this. I had a little fun with it!!
-I bet you don't know one of the best ones: Intercourse, Pennsylvania. I don't know if they finally changed that or not.
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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-A good overview of weird place names, Karenina.
-Your research and explanations and theories are appreciated.
-Each one has something to offer, or not!
-In Batman, Turkey, it is illegal to bat an eye!!
-In Eggs and Bacon Bay, they are only 6 degrees separated from Kevin Bacon, and they only eat their eggs sunny side up.
-In Hotazel, it's pretty obvious where they are headed at the end.
-Finally, in Disappointment Islands, you will never get ahead, truly disappointing.
-Thanks for sharing this. I had a little fun with it!!
-I bet you don't know one of the best ones: Intercourse, Pennsylvania. I don't know if they finally changed that or not.
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Thanks for reading and having a bit of fun with me. Several have mentioned Intercourse, PA--to which I say what were they THINKING???
Karenina
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You are welcome, Karenina. I have no idea what they were thinking!!
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:) (They were having a bit of fun, no doubt!)
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😊😊
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Batman, Turkey, where Bats hangs around....hahaha
Karenina, you did so well with Helen's challenge. I love all the places names you chose. I like your sense of humor.
Gypsy â?¡
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason." - Novalis
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Batman, Turkey, where Bats hangs around....hahaha
Karenina, you did so well with Helen's challenge. I love all the places names you chose. I like your sense of humor.
Gypsy â?¡
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason." - Novalis
Comment Written 06-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 06-Jun-2022
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Thanks, Gypsy.
Fun to look for unusual names!
Karenina
Comment from Lisa Tepp
What a hoot! I'm sure you could have gone on with this. I can think of a few place names that make you say, WTF were they thinking? Loved your commentary on each! I personally grew up in Indiana between French Lick and Santa Claus!
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2022
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What a hoot! I'm sure you could have gone on with this. I can think of a few place names that make you say, WTF were they thinking? Loved your commentary on each! I personally grew up in Indiana between French Lick and Santa Claus!
Comment Written 05-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2022
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Smile. There is something just so wrong about a state with both French Lick and Santa Claus! (That's a chuckle and a ho ho ho!)
Thanks for reading this. It's kind of nice to set down life's sorrows and take time to smile!
So many names out there! You ought to consider adding a chapter!
Thank you!
Karenina
Comment from Heather Knight
This is so much fun. I love the way you write, your sense of humour and the examples you've chosen.
My mom's nursing home in a village called Alcocer. Under the name sign, it says: the village where the temperature never changes. I had to ask a local to understand (now it seems so obvious). Al cocer in Spanish means when boiling.
Thanks so much for sharing this creative piece.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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This is so much fun. I love the way you write, your sense of humour and the examples you've chosen.
My mom's nursing home in a village called Alcocer. Under the name sign, it says: the village where the temperature never changes. I had to ask a local to understand (now it seems so obvious). Al cocer in Spanish means when boiling.
Thanks so much for sharing this creative piece.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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Hah! "Al cocer" means boiling? That one would have gone over my head for sure! This was a fine diversion from so much sad news this week. Helen's chapter made me laugh and I figured I'd give it a try. Lots of wild and crazy names out there! Thanks for the six! This was a rare step into prose!
Karenina
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You did very well. I don't do so well when I try to write poetry, but I never lose hope.
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It's alk in the thrill of "becoming!"
Comment from lancellot
This is listed as General Fiction. So all these names and backstories are from your imagination? If so, you did a great job. I really like the office girls. Naturally, Batman wouldn't have the same meaning for people of Turkey than the states.
Good work.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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This is listed as General Fiction. So all these names and backstories are from your imagination? If so, you did a great job. I really like the office girls. Naturally, Batman wouldn't have the same meaning for people of Turkey than the states.
Good work.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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Hi. Thanks for reviewing! As I added a chapter to a book I was unable to change the "General Fiction" category. Good question though! I tried to mitigate that by specifically citing the link and the author from whom I culled these geographical names in my author's notes. Hence, not my imagination. (Well, except for my "asides" as to drinks with umbrellas, et al). I always appreciate your reviews. Thanks for your comments!
Karenina
Karenina
Comment from Terry Broxson
Well done young lady, and who said she could not write prose and humor? Be sure and check out a place in my fair state of Texas. Dime Box, Texas a small place with some history. It was there in the 1940s that CBS kicked off the March of Dimes drive. Good work. Terry.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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Well done young lady, and who said she could not write prose and humor? Be sure and check out a place in my fair state of Texas. Dime Box, Texas a small place with some history. It was there in the 1940s that CBS kicked off the March of Dimes drive. Good work. Terry.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2022
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I will check that out! Thanks, Terry ~ I told you this silly comedy writer is trying to break free! Helen's inspiring chapter got me going. Dime Box, Texas. I'm off to Google Village to read all about it! Thanks for the generous six. I rather enjoy being a goofball. Who knew!?
Karenina
