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Shankill

Posted by Shae on June 14, 2004

In Reply to: The suffix: kill as in "Fishkill", etc. posted by Word Camel on June 14, 2004

: : : I have just returned from a trip where I passed many places with names such as "Fishkill", "Wallkill", "Peekskill" and "Beaverkill" It brought to mind "Shankill" as in the "Shankill" Road in Ireland. Does anyone know if it has a particular meaning?

: : : Word Camel...
: : : Who is knackered but didn't want to forget to ask.

: : I grew up in Tarrytown New York, so you must have passed right by. Hope you had a good visit.
: : This is old Dutch country, and the suffix kill comes from the Old Dutch word 'kille' meaning riverbed or channel. When you see a xkill in New York it will be on or close to some body of water.

: Thanks. I was indeed in a traffic jam in Tarry town not three hours ago. :)

In the Gaelic languages, 'kill' is an anglicisation of 'cill' meaning 'church.' Similarly, 'shan' comes from the Gaelic word 'sean' meaning 'old.' So, Shankill = old church.

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