The Atlas of True Names
The Atlas of True Names “reveals the etymological roots, or original meanings,
of the familiar terms on today’s maps of the World and Europe.” Place names are replaced with their literal meanings. It’s fascinating — and some of the names are quite surprising. Coverage from the New York Times’s Lede Blog and Der Spiegel (auf Englisch); Language Log notes a number of disputed name origins — e.g., does “Yucatán” really mean “I don’t understand you”? — while Languagehat urges us not to nitpick but to enjoy the fun. And it does look like fun. World and Europe maps are available, in paper, at five bob apiece.
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Categories: Toponyms
Categories: Toponyms
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