Unusual Place Names - Page 5

glatt · 03-05-2014, 11:57 AM

When I was a lad, I lived in the village of Merzhausen in Germany. Merzhausen and something like five other little villages were all nestled in this beautiful storybook valley on the edge of the Black Forest. The name of the valley? Hexental. (Witches' Valley.)

I wish I knew the story behind that name. It gets the imagination going. I mean, come on. Black Forest? Witches? Maybe the real Hansel and Gretel lived there?

The wikipedia article I linked to above says the name is derived from "Hagstal" or Hag valley. And Hag is a sort of protected clearing surrounded by brush or woods or even fences. So maybe it's a boring explanation, except the translated entry for "Hag" says:

Quote:

The Hag also offered cemeteries protection from evil spirits, especially if it consists of yew or boxwood existed. Also, both in Central Europe, as well as Nordic and English sagas surprising passages in hedges as a transition into a fairyland or the underworld to find. So also derived Witch (OHG hecse, English:. hag, also mnl. Hagetisse), from the same root word from. As an alternative designation is found Fence Rider / in.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-05-2014, 01:32 PM

So hag is like a secret garden.

limey · 03-06-2014, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

So hag is like a secret garden.

[snigger] He said "hag is"!

Sent by thought transference

orthodoc · 03-08-2014, 02:58 AM

From my reading, the hag is a fence, an enclosure, a ... guardian? Protection? Wisdom and safety, comfort. That appears to be the Nordic and Scottish etymology ... the English is definitely negative.

infinite monkey · 03-08-2014, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

[snigger] He said "hag is"!

HAGGIS!

Gravdigr · 03-08-2014, 06:44 PM

In the next county over is Eighty-eight, KY. There is a country store on the way that is called the Forty-four Country Market. Because it's halfway to Eighty-eight, get it?

monster · 03-08-2014, 08:27 PM

get what?

monster · 03-08-2014, 08:40 PM

We live near Hell, but also saline (Saleen), Milan (My-Lan), South Lyon (Lion) and Climax (uh-uh-uh-uuuh-uh-oooh)

There is also a Delhi road or three here (North, South and Belly/I dunno) pronounced Dell High, of course....

monster · 03-08-2014, 08:43 PM

Oh, and Novi. Allegedly also named by the railroad, kinda..... it was Station Number Six before there was anything other than industry there ....But Wikipedia says that and other similar stories are bull. but I like the idea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi,_Michigan

03-05-2014, 01:32 PM	#62
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	So hag is like a secret garden. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-08-2014, 02:58 AM	#64
orthodoc Not Suspicious, Merely Canadian Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,774	From my reading, the hag is a fence, an enclosure, a ... guardian? Protection? Wisdom and safety, comfort. That appears to be the Nordic and Scottish etymology ... the English is definitely negative. __________________ The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Ghandi

03-08-2014, 06:44 PM	#66
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	In the next county over is Eighty-eight, KY. There is a country store on the way that is called the Forty-four Country Market. Because it's halfway to Eighty-eight, get it? __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

03-08-2014, 08:27 PM	#67
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	get what? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

03-08-2014, 08:40 PM	#68
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	We live near Hell, but also saline (Saleen), Milan (My-Lan), South Lyon (Lion) and Climax (uh-uh-uh-uuuh-uh-oooh) There is also a Delhi road or three here (North, South and Belly/I dunno) pronounced Dell High, of course.... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

03-08-2014, 08:43 PM	#69
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Oh, and Novi. Allegedly also named by the railroad, kinda..... it was Station Number Six before there was anything other than industry there ....But Wikipedia says that and other similar stories are bull. but I like the idea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi,_Michigan __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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