Nov 26, 2008
The Atlas of True Names is an etymological atlas — its maps are labeled not with place-names but with the etymological meaning of the names as far back as can be traced. How accurate some of these etymologies are can be debated, but these maps sure invest some mythology into geography again.
For instance Grozny - the Chechnyan capital which, over the last years, has been destroyed in so many wars, – translates as “The Awesome”.
Here are some more. (via Languagehat.)
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Daily Meh is written and edited by Simen (contact me). I live in Norway. This blog is about whatever interests me. Here are some of my favorite posts from the archives.
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