In another forum, I mentioned that Rhode Island had the longest official state name. Valentine reminded us that ethnic groups had this year sought to have State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the official state name) truncated to simply “State of Rhode Island.” They sought the change because the word plantation, to them, harkened back to days of slavery in the South. They felt the state government was, by allowing the word to remain an official part of the state’s name, condoning the evil practice. To some, it seemed a legitimate request.
However, their cause’s big problem was the word plantation. At the time of RI’s establishment (in 1636) plantation meant “new colony,” which Providence most definitely was, and the same held true for “Plymouth Plantations” in nearby Massachusetts. While I’m not an expert on colonial history, I have seen no evidence that slavery was a part of either settlement, at least in the period when plantation was used as stated. In addition, the repugnant plantation system that relied on slavery evolved in a totally different society, place, and time, and while several Rhode Island businessmen profited by the Triangle Trade in slaves later, the southern-style plantation system was ill-suited to conditions in New England.
The proposed name change was rejected, but it will probably be brought up again.
At one time, the Tetons of the west were the subject of proposed changes due to their vulgar translation. I haven’t kept abreast of developments there but I think the attempt didn’t hold up.
Which raises the question: should officials eliminate historic titles or place name words just to avoid offending those who disapprove of them?
I live in Prince George, B.C. and am dreading the day when anti-monarchists demand the name be changed because it evokes images of the imperialistic past.
The funny thing about Rhode Island's name is that Shu actually knew, without looking, the entire name. He is not easy to live with! I had thought Proofreader was putting us on.
I rather liked Anus France.
We've had a couple similar threads with fun names, including this and here and here.
As a side note, I remember the Houston Astros setting up a low-level minor league team in Florida some years ago at the site they used for spring training, and then deciding not to call them the Astros. Normal practice is for low-level teams to have the same team name as their parent club. But I guess they figured the Kissimmee Astros was not a good name for a team. I have looked to see if I can find what the team was eventually called, but have been unable to.
The town of Boring, Oregon used to have a large sign at one corner proclaiming, "Boring Gospel Hall." The sign's gone now, presumably because they got a better preacher. Annnnnnd, the Boring Dairy Queen drive-in had a bike rack in the disabled parking space. Then there are the letters on the side of their fire trucks: BFD. Odd town, Boring.
This listing of place names is interesting but the original question I presented was: should officials eliminate historic titles or place name words just to avoid offending those (usually a minority of one or two) who disapprove of them?
I can only tell you that in my opinion they shouldn't. We've discussed a couple of times in the past the tendency to rewrite history to suit the prevailing moral standards of the day and I am against it.
I understand absolutely why modern television versions of Noddy have Goblins rather than Golliwogs and I have no special problem with that but I do have a problem with taking the original books and "doctoring" them to change the references. The same recently happened to one of the Tin-Tin books.
We also discussed the idea that a remake of a film biography of Douglas Bader should rename the Squadron Leader's dog because it was originally called "Nigger". I came out against it because although the word is certainly offensive to a great many people, not just one or two, it was in fact what the dog was called and to make a historical film with deliberately wrong facts is something I'm against. (As you can probably tell I don't like many historical films. )
So my answer is no, places shouldn't be renamed. History shouldn't be rewritten and books shouldn't be bowdlerised. If people are unable to see them in the context of their creation then that is their problem.
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
Are you referring to "The Dam Busters", or a true biography?
My understanding is that the movie, when first re-released (or tv showing, I'm not sure which), changed the name of the dog (whose name is also used as a code word indicating success of the mission), but that a more recent re-release did not.
I have a copy of the unchanged film. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it.
For those who don't know, the film describes a UK bombing effort designed to blow up dams in Germany, causing flooding as well as loss of industrial power. The actual bomb characteristics were very hush-hush, so much so that when the film was made in the mid 50's, and actual war-time footage of the testing was used, the footage was modified to conceal the shape of the bomb.
I'm referring to both. I have seen The Dam Busters in two different versions (same movie) in one the "offending" word had been blanked out and in the other it hadn't. I'm against changing it because in historical fact neither the Dog nor the Codename was "Rover".
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
Sorry. I am the one who is confused. It comes from having recently seen both the Dambusters and The Douglas Bader Story on TV. Just send me to bed without any supper. You get the gist of what I'm saying anyway.
I'll slink away now and have some beer to clear the brain.
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
Much ado here recently about "squaw," whom the politically correct crowd don't like. Somehow, "Pre-Columbian man's wife Valley, Utah" doesn't sound good. Keep history intact, and to bloody hell with PC!
I said I was confused! I thought it was paralysis.
The problem with using any dog is that they will be criticized either way they approach it. Of course, not having a dog can be criticized, but not as easily.
Much ado here recently about "squaw," whom the politically correct crowd don't like.
Who's complaining?
I once visited a small town in Arkansas that had a Civil War Memorial in the center of their town square. I enquired about whether it was politically sensitive, and was told that there had been some recent complaints - not because it honored dead Confederates, but because it only honored dead male Confederates.
When Firefox detects an incorrect spelling, it highlights that word with a dotted red underline - if you think the spelling is correct, you just right click and choose "Add to Dictionary".
I get an error message that says that the UK English dictionary is not available for my (latest) version of Firefox.
Odd. I have the latest version of FF as well (3.01). My British English dictionary works without problems. It was, however, installed some time ago, before 3.01 came out. I wonder if there's some method of installing it even though the browser thinks it's not compatible?
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Just got the official state booklet describing referendums to be voted on this year and changing the state's name is on it. There are also a number or bond issues to be voted on and it's unbelievable what a differenc there is between what they say is being borrowed and what we will actually pay in interest ($25 million vs. $64 milion).
Just came back from Cape Cod and on Route 6 there's a sign "Entering Marion." Funny, I didn't feel a thing.
Did you smell anything? Marion is a man's name. Like John Wayne's real name.
I wonder if there's a sign saying "Entering Salida" in Salida, California? "Slida is Spanish for "exit."
Speaking of salida, have you seen those airliners that have "EXIT/SALIDA" signs by the doors? English speakers get off to the left; Spanish speakers exit to the right, then - splat! The exit ramp is only on the left.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
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