Place Names Enrich Vocabulary (Press, 8 August 1987)

In a feature highlighted by National Geographic News Service on 8 August 1987, writer Joy Aschenbach explores how geographic names have evolved into common terms in everyday language. The piece begins with the inspiration behind this study, which stems from State Department geographer George Demko's curiosity ignited by his daughter's inquiry about the term "donnybrook." This term originally referred to a notorious fair in Donnybrook, Ireland, known for its brawls. Although the fair was banned in 1855, the term has since been used to describe rowdy public confrontations, particularly in legislative settings. The article further discusses the playful nature of limericks, a poetic form associated with Limerick, a city in Ireland, showcasing both the geographical influence on language and cultural tradition. The legacy of ancient Greece is also examined, detailing how terms like "lesbian," "spartan," and "marathon" originated from specific historical and cultural contexts. For instance, "lesbian" traces back to the island of Lesbos, home to the poet Sappho, renowned for her affectionate relationships with women. "Spartan" reflects the austere nature of the city-state of Sparta, while "marathon" commemorates the long-distance run from Marathon to Athens that celebrated a significant military victory in 490 B.C. Further examples include the word "meander," derived from the winding Maeander River in ancient Phrygia (modern Turkey), and "serendipity," which originates from a fairy tale about fortunate discoveries. The term "bikini" is linked to Bikini Atoll, site of atomic bomb tests in 1946, with the two receiving their names from the purported explosive impact of wearing a bikini akin to an atomic explosion. The piece also touches on the term "Podunk," which represents small, insignificant towns in the U.S. and is linked back to a village in Massachusetts. "Waterloo" is used to indicate a decisive defeat, referencing Napoleon's last battle in 1815 near a Belgian town of the same name. Additionally, the article discusses how certain terms like "limousine" evolved from the hooded cloak of Limousin, France, and the term "shanghaied," which refers to sailors being drugged and abducted to serve on ships, originates from a Chinese seaport. Finally, Aschenbach notes that many products have geographical origins, such as "cologne" from the German city, "champagne" from a region in France, and "madras" from a city in India, illustrating how language and geography are intricately connected in shaping our understanding of the world. This exploration provides a captivating insight into the evolution of language and its ties to the origins of place names.

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