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Fishkill and Peta

Posted by Word Camel on June 14, 2004

In Reply to: Fishkill and Peta posted by Brian from Shawnee 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.

: : : : :
: : : : : Love placename origins and spotting similarities.

: : : : : 'kill' like 'kirk's. germanic origin 'kirk' for 'church' along with 'minster' a big church or cathedral. 'cathedral' from 'cedera' (or sedera?)(L'tin for) seat, like Welsh 'caer'. Seat similar to 'See' = bishopric.

: : : : : similar sound to - cill, kirk, church, cedera, caer, cathedral.

: : : : Interesting, which confirms the Dutch origin of these places "Beaver church"? I don't think so *grin*

: : : : Camel
: : : : Who is just about resisting the urge to make a joke about shelags (which I'm misspelling - sorry)

: : : She lags the energy.

: : I've heard of beaver hunting, but worshipping them?
: : it's a long way from noting "Nice beaver" to erecting a spire to them.

: A few years ago PeTA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) attempted to prevail upon the town of Fishkill, New York, to change their name because it didn't sound very nice to them. When the Fishkill town fathers explained that the name simply means "fish stream" in Dutch, PeTA's response was something like "Yeah, but it still doesn't sound nice, so change it anyway!"

PeTa are a Pita.

Anyway, let me just *wince* here. I knew it was a potentially embarrasing thread but sheesh... Lewis - I just don't know what to say.

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