"Neck of the Woods"

Posted by Smokey Stover on January 10, 2004

In Reply to: "Neck of the Woods" posted by fish on January 10, 2004

: My "neck of the woods". Why is it a neck??

Until someone else can provide a more complete and definitive answer, try this one. "Neck" was once a common geographical term, referring, I imagine, to some configuration resembling a neck. In the case of a woods, along the edges of the woods there might be several narrowing projections or salients, bulges or peninsulae of a sort. "My neck of the woods" would be one such bulge. However, I can't really explain such terms as "Penn's neck" or "Dutch neck," both of which refer to communities in my area. Today there is nothing neck-like about them; but perhaps there once was. (The next PF will give more and better information.) SS

• Neck of the woods. SMokey Stover 10/January/04
  • Neck of the woods. James Briggs 10/January/04
    • Neck of the woods. masakim 10/January/04
      • Neck of the woods. James Briggs 11/January/04